Defence Forces Reorganisation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 November 2012

Wednesday, 7 November 2012

Ceisteanna (17, 23, 25, 35, 164, 165)

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

17. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Defence the strategic rationale for relocating Defence Forces personnel from McKee Barracks to Cathal Brugha Barracks. [48462/12]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

23. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence the way the proposals for the reorganisation of the Defence Forces as applied to Dublin have improved their capacity to discharge their responsibilities to our capital city and the strategic hub of the State. [48463/12]

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

25. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Defence if he will postpone his plans for the restructuring of the Defence Forces until the White Paper on Defence is published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48453/12]

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

35. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Defence his plans for the restructuring of the Defence Forces organisation, including plans to abolish the 4th Western Brigade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48452/12]

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

164. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the basis for the reorganisation of the Defence Forces such as closure of military barracks, brigade reduction or other similar measures of such policy is deemed to be in line with international trends or for other reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49028/12]

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

165. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if he will set out his preferred option for the future development of the Defence Forces; if this is in line with the strategy of senior military authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49029/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

I propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 23, 25, 35, 164 and 165 together.

The current reorganisation of the Defence Forces was in response to the Government decision to stabilise the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel. At this revised strength ceiling, the existing organisational structures that had been in place for a strength ceiling of 11,500 personnel were no longer viable. Accordingly I initiated a major reorganisation of the Permanent Defence Force. The purpose of the reorganisation is to ensure that within the reduced strength, the operational effectiveness of the Permanent Defence Force is prioritised.

In July of this year, the Chief of Staff and Secretary General submitted agreed reorganisation proposals for my consideration, which I accepted. These proposals had due regard to Defence Forces operational requirements and the Chief of Staff confirmed that the proposals would ensure that the Permanent Defence Force could continue to meet all operational requirements within a strength ceiling of 9,500 personnel.

The recommendations outlined a Permanent Defence Force Army structure based on two Brigades with the brigade headquarters located in Cork and Dublin. Other key aspects of this reorganisation included the consolidation of under-strength Units and the disestablishment of certain units, a reduction in the number of headquarters and a re-deployment of personnel from administrative and support functions to operational Units. As part of this process, the number of Army infantry battalions will reduce from nine under-strength infantry battalions to seven full strength infantry battalions. In Dublin two under-strength infantry battalions are being consolidated into one full strength battalion.

A fundamental and major organisational change such as this one required a holistic approach rather than focusing on local issues and concerns. The proposed future location of Headquarters and Units were contained in the recommendations I received from the Chief of Staff and the Secretary General having regard to Defence Forces capability and operational requirements. I accepted these recommendations in full.

The implementation of the reorganisation is underway and all personnel in the Permanent Defence Force 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 Green and White Paper process is scheduled for completion by the end of 2013. In the context of the immediate financial realities and in order to maintain the operational capabilities of the Permanent Defence Force to the greatest extent possible, it was neither prudent nor practical to delay a reorganisation of the Defence Forces until 2014.

I am firmly committed to maintaining the capacity of the Permanent Defence Force to meet their operational requirements. The current reorganisation is an essential part of that process.