Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 491: To ask the Minister for Defence the cost that has been incurred by the change and purchase of new berets under way within the Reserve Defence Forces; the reason for such a change; if his attention has been drawn to concerns within the RDF over the change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15294/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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This matter relates to a minor alteration to Reserve Defence Force Military Police (RDF MP) Headdress and involves the introduction of a green patch behind the cap badge on the Red Beret to distinguish them from their Permanent Defence Force (PDF) counterparts. This will ensure, at a cost of €1,052 (incl VAT), that there is a clear differentiation between RDF and PDF MP.

I am advised that the General Secretary of the RDFRA made a submission to Military Conciliation and Arbitration Section of the Defence Forces highlighting their concerns. Under Defence Force Regulation (DFR) R5, the Deputy Chief of Staff (Sp) can issue Administrative Instructions laying down the procedures and administrative arrangements regarding dress for members of the Reserve. This is a matter for the military authorities in the first instance.