Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Richardson very much. He clearly outlined many matters of concern to us, including poor administrative practices and a Reserve Defence Force which is declining in numbers. He even pointed out the threat to its very existence within the next ten years.

I have represented two of the southern Ulster counties, Cavan and Monaghan, for a considerable number of years. I grew up in a Border community. On a number of occasions in this committee, and also in the Dáil Chamber, I have outlined the importance and value I have always attached to the Reserve Defence Force. I have seen many young, vulnerable people whose lives were turned around by their participation in the Defence Forces. It allowed them to become top-class citizens working in the local community and in the national interest as well. I am talking about young people who could have been targeted by paramilitary organisations and other undesirables to bring them on the wrong path. I must re-emphasise the role the reserve Defence Forces have played in the lives of so many individuals and families.

On the occasion of our previous meeting, we discussed the Estimates with the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe. I gathered from him that there was a difficulty in recruiting people. The Minister of State said that if we had ideas for recruitment he would welcome them. Many of our colleges of further education run courses in security nowadays, so I suggested that that cohort of young students could be targeted. They might be interested in enlisting. However, in light of the Minister of State's message to us that people are not, how does one generate interest? What Mr. Richardson has said contrasts sharply with what I gathered from the Minister of State's message to us.

As a representative of a Border community, I emphasised the important role the Reserve Defence Force has played and should continue to play. The committee will be disturbed by the contents of the presentation. When we had an opportunity discuss defence issues at previous meetings, all my colleagues spoke clearly about the importance of the Reserve Defence Force. We must support the latter and encourage as great a level of recruitment and participation as possible.

I will take some other colleagues now and perhaps Mr. Richardson can respond to all of them after that.