Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 208: To ask the Minister for Defence the reason there was a three year delay in implementing the promotion procedure to the rank of captain for Reserve Defence Force officers; and if he will direct the military authorities to restore the seniority lost for promotion to commandant for each of those affected. [44288/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The new Reserve Defence Forces established on 01 October 2005 has placed the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) on a firm platform to develop into an efficient modern Defence Asset. Central to this reorganisation was the recommendation of the Reserve Defence Force Review Implementation Board Report that the historic promotion system within the old reserve be replaced with a system to reflect best Human Resources (HR) practice. Paragraph 9.6 of the Report states, "A new promotion system, based on the PDF Model, will be devised, developed and implemented. Performance appraisal and effective input into unit activities will be important factors in selection for promotion."

The new Permanent Defence Force (PDF) based promotion model was successfully introduced in 2005 for the selection of the first four RDF Lieutenant Colonels. In 2007 and 2008 Captain to Commandant competitions were conducted based on the PDF promotion model.

It was hoped to conduct a Lieutenant to Captain competition in 2007 however, due to administrative difficulties including the collation of accurate up to date Annual Confidential Appraisal Reports in respect of eligible Reserve Officers, the competition did not take place until 2008. The new promotion system for Reserve Officers, based on the Permanent Defence Force model, has been introduced consistent with the recommendations of the Reserve Defence Force Review Implementation Board Report. This system reflects best HR practice and will ensure that the best officers are promoted across all officer ranks in the Reserve Defence Force.

The military authorities are examining the procedures in respect of the Lieutenant to Captain competition to ensure that any unnecessary delays, that have arisen, do not negatively impact officers in respect of any further competitions. On completion of their deliberation and prior to any new competitions in 2009 the military authorities will consult with the Reserve Defence Force Representative Association. I have been assured by the Military Authorities that the promotion process will function in a timely manner in future.