Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I apologise for being late and for missing the Minister's presentation but I have read it. The level of reservists who did not participate in training could not be sustained and had to be addressed. There is no question about this. A member of the Reserve Defence Force, as a support to the Permanent Defence Force, should train on a regular basis, as should members of Civil Defence and others who support the front line. There is no question about this issue.

I have no doubt the Minister will agree with what I am about to say. The civic pride and sense of patriotism which civilians have in being able to participate in the Reserve Defence Force is not just about the training, ceremony and marching on St. Patrick's day. It is about being involved in the community and teaching young men and women a sense of place and identity. It is a powerful experience for anybody who has been through it. I have met a significant number of reservists who had concerns prior to the publication of the value for money report and what followed.

I have submitted parliamentary questions and engaged with the Minister's colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, on this matter. If one reads the parliamentary questions it is clear the budgetary allocation for the Reserve Defence Force year on year had been reduced over a number of years. It is not acceptable somebody in the Reserve Defence Force was not participating in training on a regular basis, but rather than removing people who are not participating in training we could have had enhancements. The Minister has set a ceiling of 4,000. Later this afternoon the Reserve Defence Force Representative Association will present its response to the committee. Will the Minister read the transcript of what the witnesses have to say and see whether any issues they raise could be addressed retrospectively? It is important when we deal with the legitimate systematic issues raised by the report that we also see the immense value of citizens having an opportunity to be part of this.

Two fantastic young women reservists in Carndonagh in Donegal told me that up to 100 young people in the local school expressed an interest in being part of the Reserve Defence Force. The difficulty is that the base there will be centralised in central Donegal and they will not have the same support from cadres. Will the Minister reflect on whether we can encourage a new generation of young people to be part of this and understand that with this responsibility comes regular training, because one is a real support to the Permanent Defence Force?

I apologise for taking so long to ask my question, but the Minister takes a fair long time to respond to questions so I am sure he will return the favour. The Minister should address the issues which need to be addressed, but a number of young people throughout the State would like to be a part of the Reserve Defence Force. It will be grand to have a new, leaner and fitter Reserve Defence Force but will the Minister consider the ceiling and review it regularly and throw out the net to see what interest exists and how as many young people as possible can be allowed to be involved and part of this? It is a very proud tradition and I would not like people to have a sense we are winding it down. This is the impression given by the budget allocation. There is pride among the people who have served. Moving forward we can make it leaner, fitter and fresher but we need to keep the net open for people to get involved.