Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 26: To ask the Minister for Defence when he expects that members of the Reserve Defence Forces will be permitted to serve overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2767/07]

Martin Brady (Dublin North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 61: To ask the Minister for Defence when, in the context of the Reserve Defence Force review implementation process, he anticipates that reserve force personnel may be selected for overseas duties; the categories or reserve personnel that may be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2791/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 61 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 and 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.

An important change recommended by the study of the reserve is that members of the Army reserve and Naval Service Reserve should be considered for participation in overseas peace support 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, over the period to the end of 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.