Mr. Neil Richardson:

There are so many different models of reserve service out there in so many different countries that it is hard to point to a set of standardised principles for how reserves are applied. In our model, we are smaller than our permanent counterparts. That is probably the only thing we can point to that would not adhere to international best practice. Internationally, reservists or reserve forces are generally many multiples the size of the standing military or permanent force. This is simply because they are cost effective, and they are, as the Deputy referred to in his questions, a matter of scaling up. It is easier if there is a large number of reservists who can be called upon when needed. In some jurisdictions, reservists are considered to be part-time employees of the state. That comes with whole raft of additional financial incentives, such as pensions.

That is not the model we use in Ireland. Unfortunately, there is not a one-size-fits-all reserve model we can point to because every state out there seems to do it somewhat differently. A key factor that is quite universal, except in Ireland, is that the reserve would always be larger than the regular force.