Mr. Eugene Gargan:

Our policy is to seek to encourage colleagues in the Reserve to go forward for that. For example, we see overseas services as being pinnacle of our service to the State, notwithstanding the challenges in getting there. We could probably get into that on a separate day. For Reserve members to operate seamlessly and integrate into overseas missions, everything has to be right for them, including their physical fitness. They have to pass medical tests, complete all the courses and be properly qualified. In addition, they also have to be available from their civilian work. As a result, there are a number of different challenges. Anyone who goes on an overseas mission is a tremendously dedicated individual and has sacrificed an awful lot, usually in terms of his or her salary. Often, the expert reservists who go overseas earn an awful lot more in the private sector than they do working for the State, but they do it for their own reasons. They do it in service to the State and Óglaigh na hÉireann.