Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I apologise to Deputy Stanton; I missed the question about the value for money review for the RDF and another question he asked about the reserve earlier. It is clear that a White Paper on the Defence Forces has to consider centrally within it the role of the reserve. At the risk of being seen to overly impact on the process, it is instructive and interesting to consider the experience of countries where a model has evolved with a large reserve element and a small permanent element. We ought to be prepared to learn from other people's experience in that regard. One thing which disappoints me about the development of the reserve, or what some Deputies refer to as its non-development, is that it seems in the 2005 review several actions were pointed out as necessary to progress matters. I have examined carefully the material available in this regard and it seems all these actions were implemented. Most people maintain the desired outcome was not reached and this must be taken into account in examining the reserve element of the White Paper.

Equally, the value for money element will form an important part of the process of the deliberation of the White Paper. I cannot predict what the value for money review will propose, but there may well be recommendations to make with regard to the training of reserve people, joint exercises or, as Deputy O'Shea said, the deployment of reserve people overseas. To be fair, the intention was to include some reserve people and that would have happened had other circumstances, unrelated to the process, not taken place. That is a reasonable point and Deputy O'Shea often makes the valid point that some reserve people have capabilities, training and capacity which could be very useful in some circumstances. That is a fair point and I believe it will be borne in mind.

Regarding the memorandum for Government, I have already circulated a draft memorandum to other Departments. One thing which bedevils us is an attempt to operate completely independently of others. I have circulated the draft memorandum which will give other Departments an opportunity to make observations. I do not expect to be delayed for too long before going with the formal memorandum and announcing the process. A large part of the intervening period ought to be given to allowing people an opportunity to have an input.

The question of cost from Deputy O'Shea has exercised me somewhat. I have put it to my officials that in so far as it is possible we should try to do it from within our resources and, in the main, I believe we have the capacity to do so. It appears difficult to do so but if possible I wish to do it.

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