Written Answers. - Defence Forces Reserve.
Breeda Moynihan-Cronin
Ceist:
46
Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin
asked the
Minister for Defence
the main findings of the special steering group on the future development of the reserve Defence Forces; if it is intended to implement the recommendations of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[28698/00]
The overall strategy for the future development of the Reserve Defence Force will be based on the report of the special steering group, which I established in January 1998. That group reported in September 1999.
I formally launched the steering group report on 25 November at a special southern region briefing in Thurles organised by the military authorities for serving members of the reserve. I attended a similar western region briefing in Athlone on Saturday last, 2 December. A third briefing will be held in Dublin early in the new year. The various recommendations contained in the steering group report have been accepted as providing a general foundation on which the development of the Reserve Defence Force can proceed in the future. A thorough, comprehensive and in depth study of the reserve was undertaken, involving a very considerable amount of work both by an original military board, established by the then Chief of Staff, and latterly by the steering group itself.
The steering group met with each of the Permanent Defence Force representative associations and also met on three occasions with the Reserve Defence Force Representative Association.
The White Paper on Defence recognised that a notable and important feature of the existing FCA organisation is a country-wide geographical spread. This particular aspect will, in general terms, be retained in the future. The full organisational and establishment details of the new Reserve Force, as envisaged by the steering group, will have to be determined in the course of a detailed implementation process. That process will comprehend the drafting and development of a Reserve Defence Force review implementation plan, which will be based on the steering group's report. The implementation of the structural and reorganisation changes, on the ground, will require about six years to bring to completion. This process will require the military authorities to bring forward recommendations and detailed proposals for the restructuring of local reserve units within each Army Brigade area.
Given the dependence of the reserve on voluntary service, I was anxious that there should be an ongoing process of consultation before proposals are finalised. The military authorities have now started upon that process by way of the series of three preliminary regional briefings, and by the launch of the steering group report.
As indicated in the White Paper, one important change recommended by the study of the reserve is that, in future, members of the reserve should be considered for participation in overseas peace support missions, subject to appropriate qualifications, availability and advance training. Service by comparable reservists on overseas peace support missions is quite common in other countries. However, the general criteria governing selection for overseas service are issues within the scope of representation. Therefore, any matters relating to proposals for future overseas service by members of the reserve, which come within the scope of representation, will be raised with the representative associations at the appropriate forum. In addition, the question of the security of civilian employment, for those members of the reserve who may wish to serve overseas, will have to be considered.
In order that senior Reserve Defence Force officers can serve and influence reserve activities at the highest level, the steering group recom mended the creation of four new Lieutenant-Colonel appointments within the reserve, these appointments being part of the integrated element of the reserve.
In general terms, the blueprint for the new Reserve Defence Force will involve replacing An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil with an Army reserve consisting of two elements. One element will provide personnel who will integrate with Permanent Defence Force units. Personnel who opt for a period of integrated service will be provided with enhanced military training. The larger element will provide the overall Army reserve, organised into three reserve brigades.
An Slua Mui will be developed to provide a genuine Naval reserve capability based on a revised overall strength of up to 400 personnel. As a rationalisation measure, the two Dublin based companies of An Slua Mui will be amalgamated. The Naval Service, in conjunction with the Director of Reserve Forces, will formulate specific proposals to develop an integrated role for the re-organised An Slua Mui.
Finally, one should really emphasise that the steering group was particularly mindful of the need to preserve and to retain the very many traditional and well established strengths of the current reserve system, not least the admirable spirit of individual voluntary commitment, close social links with local communities and a good depth and scope as regards nationwide geographical spread.
