Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State. Each of my colleagues mentioned the importance of the Reserve Defence Force and that we would like to see its numbers increase. On a number of occasions over the years I have taken the opportunity at this committee to outline the importance of the Reserve Defence Force. The Reserve Defence Forces Representative Association made a very good presentation to this committee some weeks ago. One of the issues raised was the Reserve's eyesight requirement as opposed to that of the Permanent Defence Force. It is an extra demand. Another issue that arose is that Reserve members cannot serve overseas. Thankfully, the Reserve Defence Force today is very representative of society in the different careers, trades and professions included. There is often specialist knowledge there, in the medical area for example. Such people could serve abroad in a very useful capacity. It is not strictly a matter for the Estimates. Does the Minister of State propose to change legislation to allow members of the Reserve Defence Force to serve abroad?