Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not believe that disrespect was shown to the members of the Reserve Defence Force. They are very much aware of the value for money review that was being carried out, as the Deputy stated, for some time. They patiently awaited the publication of the review.

This was brought to Cabinet last Tuesday and was passed. The Minister for Defence, Deputy Shatter, brought the memo forward and Reserve personnel and their representatives were consulted after the decision of Cabinet. One does not put the cart before the horse. The memo was first passed at Cabinet and the Reserve members were then briefed on the outcome of the value for money review.

The Deputy is not giving a chance to either that review or the report on how the new Reserve will proceed. The Reserve will now be stronger than it was. I understand people do not like change but unfortunately we do not have the same budget we had in previous years to maintain the service and the cadre we have. I assure the Deputy that every member who is being moved will be accommodated in every way possible to the best of the Defence Force's capabilities. I know people do not like being moved and I sympathise with them but unfortunately we are not in the same position we were some years ago.

The Deputy stated the issue was about choices. Every decision made in this House is about choices, as we all know. What I cannot understand is that the Deputy can come down here and criticise every cutback while his party is in government in the North, carrying out the very same cutbacks in the same areas.

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