Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would disagree with absolutely nothing Deputy Mac Lochlainn has said. The commitment to volunteerism and engagement, and the interest of members of the Reserve Defence Force, is very commendable and should be encouraged. I very much encourage young people, within the limited numbers for which we can provide at present, to engage with the Reserve Defence Force. With regard to those who are members and, if I can put it this way, who have an emotional attachment to the Reserve Defence Force but who have long since passed engaging in training and are not training, it is important that we have a turnover of people with young people coming in. I do not want it to be suggested that I am encouraging any particular individual not to engage, but what the Deputy stated is right. It is important we encourage young people to join the Reserve Defence Force.

We must be conscious that we have a numbers issue. Reserve Defence Force numbers are approximately 50% of the numbers in the Army and Naval Service in the Permanent Defence Force, so there is a connection with regard to where the number should be. People should be encouraged, but we must operate in the financial parameters which exist at present, and there are no mechanisms for increasing public expenditure.

As the Minister for Defence I have had to do battle to ensure we have the resources we need. Resources were assigned to the Permanent Defence Force prior to my coming to office, and when I examined where we were going for the next two or three years I saw that the numbers in the Permanent Defence Force could have fallen below 8,000 because of the original deals done with the troika and what was being assigned to the Department of Defence. At an early stage I moved to get a Government decision to ensure we maintained numbers at 9,500 and did not drop below a figure which would render it impossible for the Permanent Defence Force to perform its civil function and continue to engage in UN peacekeeping operations, which is a very important element of what we do internationally.

I will keep this under review. I hope that as a result of the changes effected the vast majority of the Reserve Defence Force will take up training days. We will keep an eye on how things are going. I have no doubt that in 12 to 18 months the committee will discuss how implementation has worked and whether any further change is necessary.

Of course I will read the transcript of the Reserve Defence Force representatives who will present to the committee today. I make a habit of reading anything to do with my brief. It is very important that if the Reserve Defence Force representatives present to the committee when I am not present that I consider what they say.

I know this has been a difficult time for members of the Reserve Defence Force. Change is difficult and I thank them for their co-operation in the change that has been effected.