Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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40. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to restore the three brigade structure to the Army; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16892/16]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Following a comprehensive review of expenditure carried out in 2011, the strength ceiling of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) was established at 9,500 personnel. It was clear from the review that the three brigade structure was no longer viable, particularly when compared to international norms.

Accordingly, a major re-organisation of the Defence Forces, encompassing the consolidation of the three under-strength brigades into two full strength brigades, took place. The decision to move to a two brigade structure involved full consultation with the Defence Forces, and final proposals approved by the then Minister for Defence were agreed between the Chief of Staff and the Secretary General.

Key aspects of this re-organisation, which was introduced in 2012, included the consolidation of under-strength units into a smaller number of full strength units, a reduction in the number of headquarters and the associated re-deployment of personnel from administrative and support functions to operational units.

The revised two brigade structure has optimised the capacity of the Defence Forces to deliver the required operational outputs, within available resources, and to continue to fulfil all roles assigned by Government. A return to a three brigade structure would cause a range of unnecessary inefficiencies, such as an increased administrative burden arising from the need to re-introduce a layer of non-operational middle management, and a return to under-strength units.

The White Paper on Defence 2015 resulted from a wide ranging consultation process and a comprehensive examination of Defence requirements over the next decade. It provides for retention of the Army’s two existing infantry Brigades and the Defence Forces Training Centre, and for measures to further enhance the capabilities of the Army Ranger Wing. Furthermore, the recently agreed Programme for a Partnership Government specifically provides for implementation of the White Paper. In all of these circumstances, I have no plans to make changes to the existing two brigade structure.