Written answers

Tuesday, 28 March 2006

Department of Defence

Overseas Missions

11:00 pm

Photo of David StantonDavid Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 45: To ask the Minister for Defence if legislation is required to enable members of the Reserve Defence Force who are selected for overseas duties to return to their previous employment once their service overseas has been completed; if so, when he expects to introduce this legislation; if he will provide details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11767/06]

Photo of David StantonDavid Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 65: To ask the Minister for Defence the protections in place to enable members of the Reserve Defence Forces who are in employment to return to their employment once their overseas duties are complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11766/06]

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 113: To ask the Minister for Defence the steps which have been taken to facilitate the service of members of the Reserve Defence Forces overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11864/06]

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 45, 65 and 113 together.

The White Paper on Defence outlines the blue print for a new Reserve Defence Force. An implementation plan has been developed that will ensure the realisation of the White Paper vision. This will be rolled out over the period to end 2009. The new reserve will have a clearly defined role, an enhanced relationship with the PDF, better equipment and training and opportunities to serve on overseas peace support missions.

The reserve has already seen significant improvements in terms of clothing, equipment, training and resourcing. It is now organised along similar lines to the PDF and the introduction of the integrated element of the reserve is currently being addressed. All of these changes will enhance the capabilities of the reserve as well as improving interoperability with the PDF. These factors are significant enablers in facilitating any future participation by reserve personnel in overseas missions.

While there are no immediate plans for participation by members of the reserve in overseas missions, policies to support the selection of suitably qualified personnel for overseas duties will be developed over the lifetime of the implementation plan, that is, over the period to end 2009. In other countries, service by reservists on overseas peace support missions is quite common, although as specified in the plan, any such participation by members of the reserve is likely to be in specialised areas such as medical, transport, engineering and communications and information services. This will also be subject to personnel having suitable qualifications, their personal availability and appropriate advance training.

Development of policies to support the selection of suitably qualified reserve personnel for overseas duties will include consideration of the impact of overseas duties on the employment of reserve personnel. The question of legislation will also be considered in this context.

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