P R E S S R E L E A S E
Future development of the Reserve Defence Force
On Saturday next, 25th November 2000, in the Anner Hotel, Thurles, the Minister for Defence, Mr. Michael Smith, T.D., will launch the report of the special Steering Group on the future development of the Reserve Defence Force. This report was completed last year and has been accepted as providing the general foundation for the Force's future development. The implementation of the structural and reorganisational changes will take about six years.
Given that the Reserve Defence Force is dependent on the voluntary service of its members, Minister Smith is most anxious that a process of consultation should take place before the Implementation Plan proposals are finalised. It is planned to hold three briefing seminars at which the Minister will have an opportunity to personally meet a cross section of Reserve Defence Force members and to hear their views on the proposed reorganisation. The first seminar will take place in the Anner Hotel, Thurles, next Saturday (for members in the Southern region and An Slua Muirí), followed by Custume Barracks, Athlone on 2nd December (for members in the Western region), and a venue in Dublin early in 2001 (for members in the Eastern region and the Defence Forces Training Centre). The seminar in Thurles opens at 9.30 a.m. and will be addressed by the Minister for Defence, the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces and the Director of the Reserve Defence Force. Media representatives are invited to attend. 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 to bring them up to full operational strength in a contingency situation. The other element will provide a three Brigade formation as an overall reserve for the Permanent Defence Force. It is anticipated that an Implementation Plan will be finalised by the end of November 2001.
ENDS 22 November 2000
Further information from John Nolan, Press Officer, on 01 8042108 or 087 2340397
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