David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 60: To ask the Minister for Defence if and when members of the Reserve Defence Forces will be able to serve overseas; if legislation is required to enable such a provision; if so, the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7150/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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In July 2004 the Reserve Defence Force implementation plan was officially launched. This plan, which will be implemented over the period to end 2009, sets out an ambitious programme of reform and modernisation for the Reserve that will enhance both Reserve Defence Force capabilities and Permanent Defence Force-Reserve Defence Force interoperability. The new reserve organisational structures came into effect on 1 October last and the reserve is organised along similar lines to the Permanent Defence Force. In addition to the reorganisation, other aspects of the plan are also progressing on schedule. The equipment programme is being implemented with the Steyr rifle programme ahead of schedule and the support weapons programme progressing on schedule. The training programme is progressing on schedule with many of the training syllabi revised and approved. Work will continue in this area over the course of the plan.

Although I am satisfied that the implementation process in on schedule to date, further work must be completed in the remaining period of the plan. The reorganised reserve will provide the necessary platform for implementation of other aspects of the plan. The development of the integrated element of the reserve as well as the development of policies to support the selection of suitably qualified reserve personnel for overseas duties, are important elements of the plan that require continued work over the period to end 2009.