Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

The White Paper on Defence outlines the blue print for a new Reserve Defence Force. This blueprint outlined a new reserve with a clearly defined role, an enhanced relationship with the Permanent Defence Force, better equipment and training and opportunities for reservists to serve on overseas peace support missions.

An implementation plan has been developed that will ensure the realisation of the White Paper vision. The plan is being rolled out over the period to the end of 2009. There has been significant progress to date in implementing the detailed recommendations of the plan, for example, a new organisation structure implemented and major improvements in clothing, equipment, training and resourcing. In addition, the reserve is now organised along similar lines to the PDF and the development of the integrated element of the reserve is in its second year. All of these changes are enhancing the capabilities of the reserve as well as improving interoperability with the PDF. These factors are significant enablers in facilitating future participation by reserve personnel in overseas missions.

An Agreed Programme for Government contains the commitment to fully execute the Reserve Defence Force, RDF, implementation plan by the end 2009 target, including the introduction of procedures to allow suitably qualified RDF personnel serve on overseas duties.

There are no plans for participation by members of the reserve in overseas missions in the current year. However, it is hoped that a small number of reservists will be available to serve overseas by the end of next year, 2009. As specified in the plan, any such participation by members of the reserve is likely to be in specialised areas such as medical, transport, engineering and communications and information services. This will also be subject to personnel having suitable qualifications, their personal availability and appropriate advance training.

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