Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)

Does the Minister accept that the Reserve Defence Force is a cost-effective organisation for the relatively small amount of money involved - approximately €10 million apart from the PDF associated costs - and that in it we have a substantial body of men and women relatively cheaply by way of support for the civil powers? I ask him to confirm that the phased enhancement of the force's capabilities, which was provided for in the Reserve Defence Force review implementation plan, will be completed. In a general sense, from the point of view of reassuring the members of the reserve, can the Minister confirm that the reserve will continue to have an important role in this country?

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