Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)

I am glad the Senator has a very good working relationship with the former Senator, Deputy and Minister Mary O'Rourke. I understand she has a very good relationship with former Members of this House in her constituency. It is very important that the Senator maintain his relationship with former Senator Donie Cassidy also.

I can understand the Senator's fears and will try to allay them. I apologise on behalf of the Minister for Defence who is unable to be present as he has another engagement.

Arising from the comprehensive review of expenditure, the Government decided to maintain the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500. This represents a reduction in the authorised strength ceiling and will contribute to the delivery of sustainable savings in the coming years. It is the Government's intention that the Defence Forces will retain the capacity to fulfil all of the assigned roles to the greatest extent possible. A three-brigade structure was introduced originally in the 1990s when the strength ceiling of the Permanent Defence Force was revised to approximately 11,500 personnel. It was retained when the strength ceiling of the Permanent Defence Force was reduced to 10,500 as part of the White Paper on Defence in 2000. However, it is no longer viable to retain a three-brigade structure within a revised Permanent Defence Force strength ceiling of 9,500 personnel. Accordingly, in response to the revised strength ceiling of 9,500, a major reorganisation of the Defence Forces, including the Reserve Defence Force, has been initiated. It will encompass a reduction in the number of Army brigades from three to two.

The primary focus of the reorganisation is to free up the maximum number of military personnel from administrative and support tasks. This will include a reduction in the number of brigade headquarters from three to two, in line with the reduction in the number of brigades. In short, the reorganisation is about maintaining operational outputs and capabilities to best effect within a reduced strength ceiling. I can confirm that the process will not require further barracks closures. This task is a significant undertaking and there is a range of issues that must be considered. However, the primary focus will be the maintenance of operational outputs and capabilities. My colleague, the Minister for Defence, has asked the Chief of Staff and the Secretary General of the Department of Defence to bring forward detailed proposals for his consideration. They will include proposals regarding territorial areas of responsibility and the location of brigade headquarters. They will also include proposals relating to the Reserve Defence Force which is currently organised along similar lines to the Permanent Defence Force. This work is under way and the Minister is being kept informed of progress.

I am aware that there will be differing views on the best way to reorganise the Defence Forces and that this will evoke passionate debate, as the Senator outlined. I am also aware that there will be differing viewpoints and interests, including those which are concerned about local impacts. However, as the Senator will appreciate, in advance of the receipt and consideration of the proposals from the Chief of Staff and the Secretary General, the Minister will not be in a position to comment on speculation surrounding the reorganisation. He does not intend to pre-empt the outcome of the work of the Chief of Staff and the Secretary General and limit their scope in bringing forward recommendations. I note the Senator has stated there was speculation in the area. I can assure him that we are at an early stage of the reorganisation and that idle speculation will not do the Defence Forces any good.

The Defence Forces organisation has an enviable track record of reform and modernisation. During the last decade, when public service expenditure and employment levels increased, defence expenditure declined in real terms, while personnel numbers decreased. During this period Defence Forces' capabilities were also progressively improved and the Defence Forces have become partners of choice in international peace support operations. The Defence Forces continue to deliver a broad range of operational outputs on a day-to-day basis, many of which are not to the forefront of the public's awareness.

The level of resources available to the Government in the coming years will present further difficulties and challenges and every part of the public service will have to continue to deliver greater efficiencies. The preservation of the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel is a clear recognition by the Government of the significant modernisation achieved by the Defence Forces organisation during the past decade. It is great that there are such high numbers applying to the Permanent Defence Force for entry to the Naval Service, the Air Corps or as cadets. Thousands have applied and there is a huge job of work to be done by the Defence Forces in recruiting the best possible people to serve in the Army. However, it is vital that we continue to strive for further improvements. The reorganisation of the Defence Forces is an integral element of this reform and will ensure the Defence Forces will maximise their operational outputs with a reduced resources envelope. The Minister looks forward to working closely with the Chief of Staff and the Secretary General in furthering the reorganisation and the broader reform agenda.

I assure the Senator that there was never an intention to show discourtesy to him personally or any member of the Opposition when the invitations were issued for the event held in Athlone barracks on Monday last. It is a matter of genuine regret if the Senator thought otherwise. He is mistaken about the established practice in issuing invitations. In the past representatives of all parties were invited to a limited number of formal events, but it has become more usual for invitations to attend ministerial events to be issued to Government representatives. This practice was followed by the Senator's party when he was in government, although perhaps not by him personally. As an Opposition Deputy, I was often aware of an official ministerial visit to my constituency of Wexford for an event which I did not receive an invitation to attend. I emphasise that I am not complaining about this. I am merely pointing out that it was the practice of other parties when in government. That said, I am glad to have the opportunity to confirm that no personal discourtesy was intended. I assure the Senator that I will convey his concerns to other Ministers.