Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will address the last question from Deputy O'Sullivan first. No members of the Irish Defence Forces are in Afghanistan at the moment.

Deputy O'Sullivan asked about the RDF. First, I recognise the value of the important work that the Reserve Defence Force has played and continues to play in contributing to Ireland's defence capability. As I have said on previous occasions, I admire the voluntary service of the members to the Defence Forces. I am the first to recognise that 2017 was not the greatest year for recruiting members to the RDF. I was listening to committee hearings recently and this was one of the major issues raised. Having said that, I reassure the Deputy that the members of the RDF play an important role. That much was stated in the White Paper published in 2015. The White Paper commits to the retention and development of the Reserve Defence Force. I acknowledge the problems around the inducting and recruitment of the reserve.

I have made this a priority during 2017. I was appointed in May 2016. There was not a great deal of change at that stage. From the time of my appointment there were issues up until the end of 2016, especially issues relating to induction. I have had conversations and meetings with the Secretary General and his assistants. I have also met the Chief of Staff and the Deputy Chief of Staff to ensure this is made a priority in 2017 and to ensure we get in the required number. There are issues around inducting personnel relating to Garda clearance and security. We are recruiting for the Permanent Defence Force and the Reserve Defence Force. As members are aware, every organisation has issues around Garda checks and security and so on. I have to ensure all safety checks and security checks have been carried out effectively on all people who have been recruited to the Reserve Defence Force. Having said that, this is a priority for me for 2017. There were issues in 2016 and I want to address them.