Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 4: To ask the Minister for Defence the progress that has been made in implementing the commitment in the action plan under the pay agreement and modernisation agenda for the Defence Forces that the parties to the agreement would engage in discussions to identify and explore the full range of the challenges to achieving optimum structures and flexibility and would complete this element of their discussions by June 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20063/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The commitment to which the Deputy refers is one of 17 contained in the action plan under the pay agreement and modernisation agenda for the Defence Forces. The action plan is itself derived from the modernisation agenda of March 2007 agreed with the Defence Forces representative associations and both are in turn, modelled on the Towards 2016 agreement between the social partners.

This particular commitment, the opening one in the action plan, is in the nature of an overall statement of intent with regard to optimising the structures and flexibility in the Defence Forces. The commitment is set in the context of the successful reduction in Permanent Defence Force numbers to 10,500 and maintenance of the three-brigade structure in line with the recommendations of the White Paper on Defence 2000. The general commitment to modernisation and change is recited within this context. I know the Deputy is fully aware of the tremendous progress that has been made in the modernisation of the Defence Forces since 2000 which is described in detail in the White Paper on Defence 2000 — Review of Implementation, published by my Department in April 2007. The action plan elaborates on a wide range of further commitments across the whole spectrum of change and modernisation in the Defence Forces. There are a number of these areas where significant progress has been made and others where work remains to be done. These have been the subject of discussion in this House on many occasions, including today, on which I will be answering questions on medical services in the Defence Forces, the re-organisation of the Reserve Defence Force and civilianisation, among other subjects.

I am satisfied with the overall progress made to date in implementing the action plan. As provided for in the modernisation agenda and pay agreement, a performance verification group, PVG, monitors performance against the commitments set out in the action plan and makes recommendations as to whether the pay increases set out in the agreement are justified. The Defence Forces representative associations, my Department and the military authorities are represented on the PVG. The group has an independent chairman, Mr. Frank Murray, former Secretary General to the Government.

The PVG meets on a regular basis to review progress on all elements of the action plan. The two most recent meetings were on 12 December 2007 and 25 January 2008. The next meeting is scheduled for 30 July 2008.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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In the context of the action plan, what progress has been made on garrison deployment, split units, the inability to redeploy personnel in certain circumstances, the number of personnel serving without appointments, SWAs, and the deployment of personnel enlisted prior to and after 1 January 1993?

There is some concern over the number of women recruited to the Defence Forces. The Minister launched a number of initiatives in this regard but apparently the recruitment rate is quite slow. The initiatives are not succeeding. Will the Minister be specific about the questions I have asked?

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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We have made significant progress on the modernisation of the Army generally. There are no less than 17 commitments in the action plan. We are far advanced in respect of some and not as advanced as we would like to be in respect of others. Needless to say, considerable progress has been made.

Outside the context of the action plan, modernisation continues, virtually on a weekly basis. Meetings take place weekly between the representative associations and the military on specific matters.

On split garrisons and the other matters about which Deputy Deenihan asked, no proposals have been forwarded by management or the representative associations as yet. With the benefit of hindsight, it is felt the commitment may have been made in too broad a manner in the final action plan to provide an effective framework for discussion on specific issues. Instead, it has served very effectively to set the tone of the discussion for the remaining 16 commitments in the action plan, on some of which we have made considerable progress.

On the recruitment of women, Deputy Deenihan will be aware that we reduced the height requirement from 5 ft. 4 in. to 5 ft. 2 in. This increased the pool of women available to approximately 90% of all women. We have also undertaken some research and the Chief of Staff will make some recommendations on its outcome. The results of the research were quite positive in many ways. Some 75% of women expressed satisfaction with Army life and up to 80% stated they were extremely happy. Their experience was good. A number of specific recommendations were made on how we recruit, including the means of advertisement and the setting up of recruitment stands. I am awaiting specific proposals in this regard from the Chief of Staff and when I receive them I will take action.