Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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75. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he has met with the representative organisations of the Reserve Defence Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36622/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Government appreciates the service of the members of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) and recognises the important role that they play in contributing to Ireland's defence capability. 

The Programme for Government 2020 contains a commitment to establish an Independent Commission on the Defence Forces. This will encompass the role and contribution of the RDF, including its legislation; the regulations governing the RDF, the development of the First Line Reserve and whether specialists from the RDF should be able to serve overseas. The Reserve Defence Force Representative Association (RDFRA), along with the other Representative Associations have been invited to submit their views on the terms of reference.

I have not had the opportunity to meet with RDFRA as yet. However, I hope to do so at the earliest opportunity, having regard to the current Covid 19 restrictions.