Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My understanding is that this is what is happening. Therein lie many of the difficulties for the reservists. It is proving necessary for them to take time off work. Unless some sort of arrangement can be worked out with employers, it is difficult to see how we can develop the Reserve Defence Force along the model initiated by the Minister's predecessor.

Everything the Minister has said about the reservists has been very positive. Will he meet with the representative body as a matter of some urgency? If we are to develop the Reserve Defence Force - everybody here wants to see that happen and it is very much in the national interest that it would happen - it is necessary for the Minister to engage with the representative body.

At this stage its members are quite despondent, and this would revive enthusiasm for the mission with which it is involved.

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