Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have the transcripts of the presentation and the subsequent question and answer session with the RDFRA at the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality. It is clear that it has a significant difficulty with the VFM report and its input to it. One major point that stands out is that of training hours. Unless a member of the Reserve Defence Force has met the statutory requirement of undergoing two weeks training, he or she cannot avail of the gratuity available. The RDFRA has made the point that the number of training hours has been halved, meaning that it is difficult to avail of training. There is also the wider issue of employment legislation that will facilitate Reserve Defence Force members, for whom the majority of their time is spent in making an unpaid voluntary contribution, and give them supports in their places of employment, as is the case in other jurisdictions.

The organisation made many positive contributions at the committee. It is asking for an independent review because it believes the potential and skills Reserve Defence Force members bring to the table could be lost. What is the Minister’s view of an independent review based on the RDFRA’s presentation?

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