James Bannon (Fine Gael)

I ask the Leader to invite the Minister of Defence to the House with regard to the re-organisation of the FCA, the reserve defence force. I understand he set up review and steering groups and now he has an implementation group in place with regard to reducing numbers. He is considering the amalgamation of the 16th and 17th Infantry Battalions. In my own area, the midlands, I believe the numbers have reduced from 300 to 180. It is important that we have a debate on the entire matter.