SPEECH BY MR. MICHAEL SMITH, T. D., MINISTER FOR DEFENCE, AT COMMISSIONING CEREMONY FOR FCA OFFICERS
COLLINS BARRACKS, CORK 10 NOVEMBER 2002
A dhuine uasail, aoiseanna speisialta agus go háirthe, na Oifigaí nua coimisiúnta san bFhórsa Costana Áitúil cuireann séan-áthas orm bheith anseo inniú chun a gcoimsiúin a bhronnadh ar chomhaltaí an Fhórsa Chosanta Áitúil. Ba mhaith liom mo chomhghairdeas a ghabháil leis na h-oifigigh nua-cheapaithe agus tá súil agaim go bhfuilid féin agus a ngaolta brodúil ar an ócáid tábhachtach seo.
Secretary General at the Department of Defence, Deputy Chief of Staff (Support), General Officers Commanding, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am extremely happy to be here in Cork this morning for this most important day for An Fórsa Cosanta Áitúil - the Army Reserve. Today is a day of achievement and promise - achievement on the part of the 34 new officers who have received their commissions, and promise for the future of the Reserve with this injection of leadership talent.
These men and women are becoming officers in the Defence Forces at a time of unprecedented change and development. The Government has set as a priority the implementation of the White Paper which is reshaping the capabilities of the Defence Forces to meet the challenges of the modern era at home and abroad. As officers of the Reserve, they take up their leadership roles in an element of the Defence Forces which is very much a part of this change and development process. There has never been a more exciting and opportune time to become an officer in the Reserve and I have no doubt that each and every one of you will play a full role at the helm of this change.
To have successfully qualified for what has been conferred on you today, represents not only a significant achievement in terms of successfully completing a very thorough programme of training, but also the culmination of years of commitment and service to An Fórsa Cosanta Áitúil. Between all 34 of you, 320 years of service has been given to the Reserve. As newly commissioned officers, you take up your duties in an organisation to which you are clearly dedicated and committed.
Today marks a day of great honour for you and your families and also bestows on you, as officers of the Reserve, positions of immense respect within your local communities. As a voluntary body, the Reserve is rooted in local communities and drawn from all walks of life. A glance at the backgrounds and occupations represented here today bears this out. Among these new officers we have engineers of varying kinds, technicians, teachers, sales reps, managers, an electrician, a stone polisher, a bank official, a builder, a chef and a farmer, as well as several students. This considerable pool of practical and professional talent will greatly benefit the Reserve, enhancing its military and organisational capabilities.
The White Paper on Defence, which the Government is committed to fully implement, envisages a new departure for An Fórsa Chosanta Áitúil and highlights the important feature of its existing countrywide and geographical spread. As we move forward with the new Organisation Plan, this aspect will, as far as possible, be retained in the future as the Reserve is restructured and reorganised. The implementation process of this new plan will take about six years to complete. This does not mean that there is a lack of urgency about the reorganisation of the Reserve and I am intent on seeing marked progress each year over the next six years.
In general terms, the Plan for the Reserve will involve replacing An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil with an Army Reserve consisting of two elements. One element will provide personnel who will integrate with the Permanent Defence Force units and will receive enhanced military training and development. The other larger element will provide the overall Army Reserve, organised into three Reserve Brigades.
In championing change across the Defence Forces, I am mindful of the need to preserve traditional strengths. This is of particular relevance to the Reserve, where the spirit of individual voluntary commitment, close social links with local communities and a good depth and scope as regards nationwide geographical spread, are elements that should be maintained.
As well as restructuring the way the Reserve is organised and trained, I am determined that members look and feel that they are part of a modern force. We are continuing to enhance equipment levels and intend over time to achieve standardisation and inter-operability between the Permanent Defence Force and Reserve Defence Force in respect of both dress and personal equipment. In this regard I am particularly delighted at the positive feedback concerning the new DMP uniform which has now been issued to the Reserve and is having a positive effect on morale and self-image. This new and modern image for the Reserve is clearly apparent in the very effective advertising campaign which is underway with the view to attracting young men and women into the ranks of voluntary military service.
Today we celebrate the future of the Army Reserve as these new officers embark on their leadership roles at an exciting time of change and opportunity. With such obvious quality having come through the ranks to officer level, the future is bright.
Congratulations on your hard work and commitment and indeed to your instructors, whose diligence has helped you reach this proud day.
ENDS |
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