Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)

I am disappointed with the Minister's reply. The Reserve Defence Forces is aggrieved that it does not have an adequate dispute resolution mechanism similar to that in place in PDFORRA and RACO in terms of the Permanent Defence Force. The reserve is also of the view, rightly or wrongly, that its director should be a member of RACO in that if a brigadier general was to be appointed director, a brigadier general would not be a member of RACO but would be a member of the general staff.

There are major concerns among the members of the Defence Forces Reserve. The recommendations in the McCarthy report to reduce by two thirds its resources and size has not been implemented. The strength of Defence Forces Reserve is now 6,394 compared to 23,000 in 1960. I am sure the Minister will agree that in the context of its strength members of the reserve are concerned that the reserve is under threat and that we are moving towards a point where its viability could be very much in question.

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