SPEECH BY MR. MICHAEL SMITH, T.D.,
MINISTER FOR DEFENCE,
AT A COMMISSIONING CEREMONY
FOR FCA OFFICERS
AT CATHAL BRUGHA BARRACKS, DUBLIN
4 November 2001
A dhuine uasail, aoieanna speisialta agus go háirithe, na Oifigaí nua coimisiúnta san bFhórsa Cosanta Áitúil - cuireann sé an-áthas orm bheith anseo inniú chun a gcoimisiúin a bhronnadh ar chomhaltaí an Fhórsa Chosanta Áitiúil. 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.
Chief of Staff, General Officers Commanding, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen and most importantly newly commissioned officers of An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil, I am delighted to be in Cathal Brugha Barracks today for this commissioning ceremony. I want to warmly congratulate each of the 32 officers involved. Today is a very important day for you. The award of a commission is the recognition of a considerable personal achievement.
Your appointment as Officers of the Reserve confers on you positions of respect and influence in the local community, while the community in turn can be very proud of your achievements. This year again all parts of the country are proudly represented. From your educational backgrounds and chosen careers it is clear that you will bring to the Defence organisation a wide variety of practical and academic talents. A broad range of occupations are represented here today, such as, computer and IT consultants, engineers, accountants, a PT instructor, a baker and a firefighter.
This ceremony is the culmination of a thorough programme of training and preparation by all concerned. In order to attain the degree of efficiency in the performance of your duties, which is necessary to become an officer, you have all passed a stringent course of instruction in military and ancillary subjects. Praise is due also to your instructors whose hard work, diligence and devotion to duty helped to ensure your successful completion of the course.
The course placed great reliance on individual discipline and on the ability to lead and operate military forces in pressure situations. To succeed in the course and receive a commission, candidates must display all of the military skills, leadership qualities and the commitment required of an officer of the Defence Forces. Indeed many members of the Permanent Defence Force have had previous service with the FCA and this is a tradition that will no doubt continue. Each and every one of the 32 newly commissioned officers are entitled to feel justly proud of their accomplishment.
The FCA is a voluntary organisation and as such involves the sacrifice of much personal time for training. Membership, therefore, is indicative of a high level of motivation and commitment by all its personnel. As long as the FCA continues to attract people of your calibre to its ranks, the present high standards within the FCA will be maintained. I also wish to mention the support and backing provided by families to allow members attend the various FCA activities throughout the year. In that context, I am delighted to see so many family members here today and I look forward to meeting you later. The support of families is essential for the organisation to survive.
It is important that the Reserve is seen as an attractive organisation to join. Most of the people present here today will be aware that the FCA is to be developed and restructured in the future. In general terms the blueprint for the new Reserve Defence Force will involve the development of the FCA into an Army Reserve consisting of two elements. One element will provide personnel who will integrate with Permanent Defence Force units and these will be provided with enhanced military training and development. The other element will be organised into three Brigades and personnel will be trained on standard military lines.
My vision for the new Reserve will, when implemented, result in an improved organisation with the following features:-
{ a clearer contingency defence role;
{ an enhanced relationship with the Permanent Defence Force;
{ increased funding for paid training and courses;
{ a new training regime that will introduce better training;
{ improved equipment and uniforms;
{ access to overseas peace support missions;
{ the issuing of testimonials in recognition of honourable discharge as occurs in the Permanent Defence Force;
{ the retention of the traditional strengths and features of the organisation, especially the spirit of voluntary service.
Today is a new beginning for the thirty two officers standing before us. I am certain that as commissioned officers you will provide the leadership and example which the FCA needs to ensure its continued place as an essential component of our Reserve Forces. I wish you every success in the future as you embark on your careers as officers of the FCA.
Congratulations, well done and enjoy the rest of the day. |
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