Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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176. To ask the Minister for Defence if he is aware that members of the reserve Defence Force are being told they have to wear a separate badge on their uniform to single them out as reservists; if this undermines the single force concept; and if he has discussed the issue with the reserve Defence Forces representative association. [3619/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Military Authorities, whilst acknowledging the concerns expressed by RDFRA in relation to Cultaca Flash, of the need to take cognizance of all concerns, representations and sensitivities in relation to identity, tradition and custom. The Cultaca Flash provides a method of ensuring that the proud heritage of Reserve Defence Force is preserved under the Single Force Concept and should not be regarded as a badge of separation.

I am advised that the issue of the Cultaca Flash was raised at recent High Level Implementation Group (HLIG) meetings and the minutes of same were forwarded to RDFRA. The issue was also (informally) discussed with the General Secretary of RDFRA on 30 September 2015 at a meeting of the RDFRA Forum.

Defence Force Regulations clearly distinguish between the Permanent Defence Force and the Reserve Defence Force. The Defence Force Regulations define both entities and therefore, it is prudent to identify both in regard to Dress Code. The dress code, including Flashes serve to avoid ambiguity or misunderstanding and support the single force concept.

It is also worthy of mention that Naval Service Reserve (NSR) has  been using a similar Flash for a number of years  and the adoption of the Cultaca Flash for the Army Reserve (AR) element of the RDF will bring the AR into line with their NSR colleagues.