David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)

The Minister has told us that there are 300 members in the integrated reserve, which he admits is disappointing because it was expected that there would be more. He admitted that he has learned lessons. He might share some of those lessons with the House at some stage. Why is some use not being made of the 300 even in barrack duties or in some way to act as a backup to the Permanent Defence Force, PDF? I assume that they are trained to a high level, on a par with the Permanent Defence Force. Why are they left there and not used in any meaningful way?

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