David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Some 59 people were recruited this year, to date, to the Army Reserve and six into the Naval Service Reserve. I served for 23 years in the Reserve and there was a time when we would take that number in during an afternoon. There was such a demand for it and it was so popular and useful to young people, to actually develop character, discipline and everything else. To have the numbers so low and to have the Reserve fading away is a missed opportunity in all kinds of ways. I would support the Tánaiste in any work he would do to increase the numbers. It is a hugely important, character building opportunity for young people. In fact, if they get a taste of the Defence Forces by being in the Reserve they may very well decide to join the Permanent Defence Force, PDF.