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

I do not know the answer to the question I am about to ask the Minister. Has he met with the members of the Reserve Defence Force Representative Association to seek the views of its members? It strikes me they are making a constructive contribution to the debate. They are genuinely concerned their members will not be able to meet the requirements in terms of training and they made a statement that the Reserve Defence Force could face being disbanded within three years. I do not know about that, but they have serious concerns. If the Minister has not met them, will he meet them as soon as possible to discuss their presentation and their suggestions? All the Members of this House are sensible people. If there is a layer of civic-minded citizens who want to volunteer and make a contribution to the State in a way that is clearly value for money, we must listen to them. If the Minister has met them, what was the outcome?

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