Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 53: To ask the Minister for Defence when legislation permitting members of the Reserve Defence Forces to serve overseas will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23983/06]

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 71: To ask the Minister for Defence if he intends to make provision for the deployment of members of the Reserve Defence Forces abroad; if so, in what capacity; if he intends to introduce legislation to facilitate such deployment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23733/06]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 76: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will bring forward legislation to allow for members of the Reserve Defence Force to serve on missions overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23780/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 53, 71 and 76 together.

The White Paper on Defence outlines the blueprint 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 the end of 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 i.e. 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 and the question of legislation will also be considered in this context.

Under the provisions of existing Defence legislation, only members of the Permanent Defence Force are permitted to serve overseas and an amendment to the Defence Act will be required in order that members of the Reserve can serve overseas. This will be addressed in due course.