Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There is a sense of a lack of ambition with respect to redeveloping the Reserve Defence Force. Typically, reserve defence forces are a critical element of recruitment to permanent defence forces. We are at critically low levels. Indeed, the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces reflected the fact that the Reserve Defence Force is important in terms of surge capacity as required. That is not remotely possible at present. There is hardly another reserve defence force in Europe whose membership is a fraction of that of the permanent army. In many cases it is multiples of it. In the past, in virtually every significant town there would have been an FCA hall and an FCA presence with personnel from across the community. We do not really see that any more. Many people have very little contact with or awareness of the Reserve Defence Force. In large parts of the country, it is effectively non-existent. Surely we have to recognise that the Reserve is the best way to attract new recruits. I welcome the actions the Tánaiste outlined.

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