Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 24: To ask the Minister for Defence his plans to reform the Reserve Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on matter. [30356/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The current White Paper on Defence 2000 outlined the overall strategy for the development of the Reserve Defence Force, RDF. This was based on the report of a special steering group established by the then Minister for Defence in January 1998. The steering group directed the work of a military board, which carried out a comprehensive review of the RDF. The process involved extensive consultation with stakeholders, including the Reserve Defence Force Representative Association, RDFRA, and members of the reserve.

The development strategy outlined in the White Paper led to the RDF review implementation plan, which has provided for the phased development of the reserve's capabilities in recent years. The plan outlined a series of steps that were designed to enhance RDF capabilities and improve interoperability with the Permanent Defence Force, PDF. These steps included re-organisation, improved training, enhanced working relationships with PDF units and improved equipment. In accordance with the plan, the reserve has been re-organised, new equipment, clothing and opportunities for improved training have been delivered and a revised training strategy is in place. These improvements represent a positive advancement for the reserve.

The plan also provided for the development of an integrated element of the reserve. This element was to integrate and train with the PDF. A pilot integration programme was introduced in 2007 and extended into 2008, but the numbers participating in these pilots were disappointing and this element of the plan has not achieved the intended results. Plans to send members of the reserve overseas were progressed, but postponed in light of the moratorium on recruitment to the public service. There are no plans to send members of the Reserve Defence Forces overseas in the foreseeable future.

As the Reserve Defence Forces review implementation plan has reached the end of its timeframe, there is a requirement to critically examine the approach that has been made to date to consider options for the future development of the reserve. A value for money review of the Reserve Defence Forces commenced in February this year. The steering committee overseeing this review has an independent chair in line with Department of Finance guidelines for such reviews. As part of the review process, the steering group committee will be engaging in stakeholder consultation on a phased basis. I understand that as part of this process it has recently written to the representative associations, inviting submissions. The findings of the value for money review, including the lessons learned through the RDF implementation plan process, will complement the development of a new White Paper on defence which will commence in the near future. This will ensure that further development of the reserve is appropriately informed by the lessons of the past and requirements for the future.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Will the Minister not agree it is serious that the full complement in the Reserve Defence Forces on 1 January 2009 was 7,671, and had dropped to 6,394 by 31 March this year, a loss of 1,277? The McCarthy an bord snip nua report has been described by the chairperson of the representative association of the Reserve Defence Forces as a "sword of Damocles". The report recommended a reduction both in budget and personnel strength of two-thirds. I understand an undertaking was given that this would not happen, yet the number of man days allocated to the Reserve Defence Forces this year has reduced by 31,000, effectively a two-thirds reduction on the 2008 usage.

I realise the review is ongoing, stakeholders are being consulted and so on. However, the situation continues to deteriorate and positive signals need to be sent to the Reserve Defence Forces to the effect that there will not be further cuts this year. Any further cuts would do enormous damage to morale. Essentially, I am asking the Minister to send strong signals that he sees a real future for the Reserve Defence Forces and indicating that he wants to develop them. Very importantly, and we agree on this, in terms of the functions they carry out, they should be reassured, and it is possible for them to interface effectively with the community at large in a whole myriad of areas.

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I agree with Deputy O'Shea in regard to the latter point. I have had some experience as regards the Reserve Defence Forces over the last three months since my appointment and I have been looking at the various recommendations that arose along the way. It seems to me that by and large, as regards the recommendations that came forward, at least a positive attempt was made to implement them. The pilot scheme is a particularly good example of something that did not work out in the manner that was anticipated.

The issue of paid training days and that of the McCarthy report seem to me to come somewhat further along, although it is highly unlikely that either is positive, quite frankly, in terms of their impact on the reserve. Nevertheless, the drop in numbers and the lack of interest in the reserve, if that is what we are seeing, seems to pre-date both of those by a considerable period. I agree with Deputy O'Shea that there is a considerable challenge there. Last weekend I was out with the Naval Reserve in Kilrush bay and I was very impressed with the equipment, training and so on. I visited Lahinch barracks where there was a communications and information training week. The quality of the equipment was far beyond anything to which I could aspire to knowing anything much about. I was very impressed by the commitment of the people to learning about this, and of course, in their civilian employment they know a considerable amount about such equipment in any event. I attended the annual conference and heard exactly what Deputy O'Shea has been saying about the concerns current activists in the reserve have about this area.

I believe we can send a positive signal in this House. One of the opportunities to do that will be the White Paper, which will be coming up later in the year.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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I have two final points. One is the issue which is of great concern to the representative association, that is, the appointment of a brigadier general to head up the organisation. My understanding of the Minister's responses to me on that was to the effect that he had no particular objection to this, off the top of his head. This is something that can be addressed on its own because, while no reflection on any individuals, there is the issue that the Reserve Defence Forces are being headed up by a member of another organisation, whereas if a member of the general staff was involved that would be a different matter.

I believe the whole issue of being able to serve overseas would be an added incentive towards getting young people to join the Reserve Defence Forces. That aspect was postponed because of financial considerations but there are areas in the Permanent Defence Force, mechanics, engineers and so on - not troops in the firing line, as such but rather people involved in the back-up services - which are worthy of focus. I believe there is considerable scope here and that this is worthy of examination.

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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If I appear unenthusiastic about the idea of a brigadier general, it is partly because it seems that many of the recommendations regarding the reserve that have been implemented do not appear to have brought about the positive results people had hoped for. I have an open mind on this but I am a good deal short of being convinced that it will address what seems to me to be much more fundamentally difficulty. With regard to overseas service, I understand the ban on recruitment was one of the factors, as well as the financial ones mentioned by Deputy O'Shea. However, it seems to be the case that were that opportunity available a number of those concerned would be interested in pursuing it.