Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 256: To ask the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 367 of 9 November 2005, the reason a newspaper (details supplied) was not amended for 1 October 2005; the person who is commanding the new reserve service support units from 1 October 2005 to date pending the formal appointment of reserve unit commanders; and the position regarding the posting of enlisted personnel. [36157/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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As I said in response to Question No. 367 of 9 November last, formal notification of the posting of officers to appointments in the Defence Forces, including Reserve Defence Force officers, is effected by means of an amendment to the Gazette. Such amendments are normally published monthly in arrears. The military authorities have informed me that the publication of a special Gazette amendment, which will include all Reserve Defence Force officer appointments encompassing 671 officers, will occur in the near future. The magnitude and complexity of the restructuring of the Reserve Defence Force and the large number of officers involved has lead to the slight delay in publication of the Gazette amendment. I was also asked about the appointment of officers, including commanding officers. General officers commanding have appointed officers to all appointments. The military authorities have advised me that consistent with instructions issued by the deputy chief of staff — support — all enlisted personnel have been provided for in the new organisation.

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 257: To ask the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the level of confusion, dissatisfaction and uncertainty among officers arising from the failure to conclude proper arrangements for all appointments in the new reserve in view of the fact that the reorganisation of the Reserve Defence Force was in train since 1996. [36158/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Reserve Defence Force review implementation plan was formally launched by my predecessor, Deputy Michael Smith, in July 2004. The plan, which was formulated following extensive consultation, received broad support, particularly from the representative association of the Reserve Defence Force. The plan, which will be implemented between now and the end of 2009, will significantly enhance the capability of the Reserve Defence Force. The recent reorganisation of the Reserve Defence Force, which represents a critical milestone in the implementation plan, involved root and branch changes in the Reserve Defence Force. It necessitated the disestablishment of the FCA and Slua Muirí and the establishment of a dedicated Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve. The reorganisation, which involved restructuring the Reserve Defence Force along similar lines to the Permanent Defence Force, necessarily involved unit amalgamations. The military authorities issued comprehensive procedures to provide for the assignment of all reservists, including officers, to units of the Reserve Defence Force. I am aware that any significant organisational change, such as that in the Reserve Defence Force, can lead to concern and uncertainty. Such concerns and uncertainty were evident when the Permanent Defence Force was recently reorganised. There is a broad consensus that the changes brought significant improvements to the Permanent Defence Force, however. I am confident that the plan for the Reserve Defence Force will do likewise.

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 258: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of FCA officers who did not apply for any appointment in the new reserve; the position regarding same; if he has satisfied himself that all potential candidates for Lt. Col. were properly notified regarding all positions open to them. [36159/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Some 108 officers in the Reserve Defence Force did not apply for appointments in the Reserve Defence Force. The military authorities issued comprehensive procedures to provide for the assignment of reservists, including officers, to the Reserve Defence Force. The officers who did not apply for appointments have been appointed, where vacancies exist, to a unit in their area. Other officers were facilitated to the nearest unit to their home address or held supernumerary on the establishment. The military authorities have informed me that comprehensive instructions were issued by the deputy chief of staff, support, to provide for the promotion of commandants to the newly established Lieutenant Colonel posts in the Reserve Defence Force. I have been informed that all officers eligible for promotion in accordance with the criteria laid down in the aforementioned instructions were notified.