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

Would the Minister of State also refer to the role of the Reserve Defence Forces? That was not mentioned today and it is an area that is never given the attention it should be given in society in general. Over the years, the Reserve Defence Forces has been an important organisation. Many times it has led to people progressing to serve in the Permanent Defence Forces and it was also important from the point of view of ensuring that young people who may have been vulnerable to becoming involved in paramilitary organisations got involved in the structure of the then Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil, FCA, or the Reserve Defence Forces. Those people have gone on to contribute handsomely to society and its role is important. Some time ago I know there were concerns on the numbers enrolling in the Reserve Defence Forces and some recruitment campaigns were undertaken. I sincerely hope that those campaigns will be continued and that they will be successful. We need the Reserve Defence Forces to be as strong as possible throughout the country. It does very valuable work which is often unsung and unnoticed and it has been particularly important in giving the opportunity to many young people to gain skills and training and go on to worthwhile careers, be they in the Permanent Defence Forces or elsewhere. Being a representative for two Border counties and having seen the thuggery, violence and criminal activity going on in paramilitary circles in our region over many decades, I must say that the role of people who served in the Reserve Defence Forces was never given the credit that it deserved.

The huge pressures on members of the Defence Forces were mentioned. The message here today has been that we all want to see better pay and conditions for our Permanent Defence Forces members and I am very conscious of the people who were transferred from the likes of Dún Uí Néill Barracks in Cavan to Athlone and then on to a barracks in Dublin, be it Cathal Brugha Barracks or wherever. Those people have additional costs now in travelling to work and in many instances there may not be a second car in a home. This poses particular difficulty for partners. In most instances a wife would be at home with children who have to be brought to school, to Gaelic games and to participate in other activities and the fact that the serving member of the Defence Forces has to travel and be away from home for some time creates an extra pressure on household income.

I would appreciate it if the additional costs borne by people who have had to transfer because of barrack closures could be taken into account in determining future pay, conditions and remuneration.