Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 October 2012
476. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when he will issue a response to this Deputy to my query (details supplied) seeking to clarify if he had issued any electronic mail to his constituency members or constituents, welcoming the move of personnel from McKee Barracks in North Dublin to Cathal Brugha Barracks in South Dublin. [44715/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn my capacity as Minister for Defence, I arranged for an e-mail to issue to all members of the Oireachtas at the end of August (see below) in relation to the re-organisation of the Defence Forces, but there is no mention of welcoming posts to Cathal Brugha. I am not aware of any other correspondence that issued in relation to this matter. For the Deputy's information I would like to point out that neither McKee nor Cathal Brugha Barracks are in my constituency.
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August 2012
Dear member of the Oireachtas,
I wish to refer to the recent re-organisation of the Defence Forces.
As you will appreciate, the Government is facing an extremely difficult challenge to restore the fiscal and economic wellbeing of the State. The very significant challenges and difficult decisions involved in this process cannot be underestimated.
Following the Governments Comprehensive Review of Expenditure, I secured the agreement of the Government to maintain the strength of the Defence Forces at a level of 9,500 serving personnel. While this represents a very significant commitment on the part of Government, at this strength level it was not possible to maintain the then organisational structure of the Defence Forces, which had been designed to support a serving strength of 11,500. As a result, I asked the Secretary General of the Department and the Chief of Staff to conduct a detailed review of the organisation and structure of the Defence Forces and to bring forward proposals on an appropriate organisation for a Defence Forces of 9,500 serving personnel which could continue to deliver the services required by Government. I accepted the proposals submitted jointly by the Secretary General and the Chief of Staff which recommended a reorganisation of Defence Forces' units based on a two Brigade structure.
All personnel in the Defence Forces have now been briefed on the reorganisation proposals. They will receive further briefings and advice on the many options available to them as implementation of the reorganisation progresses. The reorganisation implementation plan is designed to limit as far as possible the dislocation of personnel and this will become clear as the plan is implemented.
While the reorganisation means that units will be moved among existing locations, it maintains, as far as possible, the existing organisational strengths within the current locations. (See enclosed table which shows the serving strength in each barracks prior to the announcement of the reorganisation, and the proposed establishment post the implementation of the reorganisation). Certain units are being disbanded, amalgamated or relocated as part of the reorganisation. However, insofar as is practicable, serving members in the Defence Forces whose units are being moved will have the opportunity to either move with their unit or to take up new appointments within or close to their existing locations. In addition, very significant opportunities for training, career progression and promotion will continue to be available within the reorganised structure for the Defence Forces. While every effort will be made to accommodate members of the Defence Forces, inevitably, some personnel will have to change location in order to fill appointments in the new organisation. However, contrary to much of what is being stated in correspondence, there is no question of mandatorily requiring all the personnel currently serving in units changing location to move with their unit and I would like to take this opportunity to allay any concerns in that regard.
I am committed to maintaining the capacity of the Defence Forces to meet their operational requirements and the current reorganisation is part of that process. I would like to reiterate that the reorganisation will be implemented in a manner which best addresses the future organisational needs and capability requirements of the Defence Forces, while facilitating as far as possible the circumstances of individual members and detailed discussions with both Representative Associations are ongoing in this regard. I trust the above clarifies the matter for you.
Yours sincerely,
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ALAN SHATTER, T.D. MINISTER FOR JUSTICE, EQUALITY & DEFENCE.
