Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the ambassador’s presence, which is important.

I want to raise the issue about Defence Forces Reserve and where we are with the recruitment campaign that happened. A significant campaign was launched in March 2022. More than 1,000 people volunteered, which is a great sign of the enthusiasm out there to join the Reserve. People have been telling me that the Reserve was never going to get that activity back again. However, it showed the activity out there, with 1,000 people coming forward and putting their hands up to say that they want be part of the Reserve. Unfortunately, ever since, there have been huge issues trying to make sure the recruits get through the process.

On 27 July 2022, recruitment closed because there was a backlog when it came to the medicals. The medicals issue has never been sorted out. Unfortunately, it is two-phased. Part one means that a person must do blood and urine tests, which are still being done in-house. The GP part is outsourced. Because of the way the medicals have been handled, unfortunately, only 90 recruits have been recruited. Out of 1,000 people coming forward and with the recruitment campaign closing in July, only 90 have made it through the process. There was anticipation that this was going to be the start of a fresh beginning for the Reserve. However, those figures show a change in approach is needed or we will not see that ambition that the Reserve has. It can never reach its full ambition if only 90 people get through after 1,000 are recruited.

As bad as it is with the Reserve for the Defence Forces, when you think about what is happening with the Naval Service Reserve, it gets worse.Some 176 people applied to join the reserve in the Naval Service. Not one has gotten through the process yet. We need to have a significant debate about where we are going with our Defence Forces. Unfortunately, the Defence Forces have been depleted over the last few years. Significant reports have been published and significant budgets have been proposed but the actual day-to-day running of the Defence Forces and how they manage issues, in particular when it comes to medicals, needs to be looked at. To think we have no naval reserve gone through the process in more than a year is beyond belief. To think that fewer than 100 - just 90 out of 1,000 - have gone through for the Army reserve shows the great need for something to happen here. It would be appropriate for the Tánaiste to come to the Chamber for a debate on the Defence Forces and on the Reserve itself so he can give his vision and his outline. He is a new Minister in this area, as the Cathaoirleach knows, and a colleague of his in his constituency. We should have that debate and deliver what the people want, which is the opportunity to serve.