Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)

The Minister knows both Deputy Deenihan and I will support his efforts in maintaining the strength of the Reserve Defence Force. With regard to the current strength of the reserve, the McCarthy report proposes reducing it by a further 2,000. Is that correct? I am concerned in that regard. The numbers in the Permanent Defence Force numbers are also decreasing and if the trend for this year, so far, is repeated next year and the following year, we could have well over 1,000 fewer members of the Permanent Defence Force.

The tasks carried out by the Reserve Defence Force to augment the work of the Permanent Defence Force are important, for example, the provision of armed escorts, of logistical support and security of vital installations. Does the Minister expect we will reach a stage where the combined manpower of the Permanent and Reserve Defence Force will not be adequate to take on all the tasks needed in support of the civil power and the national interest?

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