Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 57 together.

In line with the provisions of the Defence Forces Reserve review implementation plan, it is hoped that a small number of reservists will be able to undertake overseas service in late 2009.

The organisational changes, enhancements to clothing, equipment, training and the piloting of the integrated reserve, all delivered as part of the implementation plan, have improved the capabilities of the Defence Forces Reserve. It was intended as part of the plan that those improvements in capability would build towards overseas service by members of the reserve.

The military authorities have identified a small number of overseas posts requiring specific skills that may be filled by members of the reserve. That is likely to involve deployment to the mission in Kosovo for a period of six months. Any commitment to overseas service by members of the reserve will be on a voluntary basis. The military authorities have sought expressions of interest from among suitably qualified reservists who have undertaken integrated training. The military authorities are at an advanced stage in identifying reservists who may be eligible and willing to apply for a small number of specified overseas positions. Final selection of personnel will be dependent on interested personnel completing an extensive training schedule to upskill to the requisite military standards to enable them to serve overseas. It will also be dependent on their personal availability.

It is intended to make regulatory provision to allow suitably qualified members of the Defence Forces Reserve to qualify for service with the Permanent Defence Forces for the express purpose of this overseas service. Terms and conditions of service are being actively examined and the representative associations will be consulted in the near future. I am pleased that such work is proceeding on schedule in line with plan provisions.

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