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

Allow me to check some figures. In 2011, there were 4,554 members, of whom 2,010, as I mentioned, actually participated in training. When one speaks in terms of being effective or non-effective, while one might relate this simply to those who were participating in training, it is or can be something quite different to that in practical terms. Consequently, the objective is to ensure the RDF as a body is fit for purpose and can engage. One important aspect on which I touched in my opening statement but which members have not touched on in any question thus far is that for quite a number of the RDF's members, training will take place within existing PDF barracks. This is an important increase in the connectivity between the PDF and the RDF, rather than there simply being a PDF cadre and the RDF being what effectively was a separate entity.