Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 39: To ask the Minister for Defence if he has received representations from a person (details supplied), expressing concern that the name of Pádraig Pearse is no longer carried by any unit within the Defence Forces; the way he intends to preserve the name of Pádraig Pearse in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38095/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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A letter was received in my office from the Secretary of the Pearse Battalion Association on 10 August, 2010. In the letter it was suggested that 62 Reserve Battalion be renamed 62 (Pearse) Reserve Battalion to uphold the memory of Pádraig Pearse. When the Reserve Defence Force was reorganised in October, 2005 it was decided to adopt a numerical unit designation only. This method of naming enables the new Reserve Defence Force unit to be associated with their affiliated Permanent Defence Force unit.

Enquires were made again with the Military authorities regarding this matter. The recommendation made was that the current numerical designation be retained. The rational for this retention is that the dominant aspect of unit designation for all Reserve units continues to be underpinned by Reserve Defence Force and Permanent Defence Force unit affiliation.

The Deputy may wish to note that one of the seven barracks in the Defence Forces Training Centre in the Curragh Camp is named Pearse Barracks and this provides a fitting memorial to the name of Pádraig Pearse.