Army is aiming to be the best, with plenty in Reserve; DEFENCE

THE FCA is about to undergo a radical change - it will be better funded, better equipped and better trained to serve alongside frontline troops of the Permanent Defence Forces.

The new Army Reserve will step into line with its European counterparts as members serve alongside full-time troops at home and on foreign peace- keeping missions.

I have trained my sights on putting in place a better trained, better equipped and better resourced National Reserve.

All over the country there are dedicated volunteers who lead busy daily lives and who volunteer for the FCA and Slua Muiri.

They are imbued with a public spirit and serve for the public good and are prepared to make a regular commitment to help the community at large.

They are the members of the FCA which is now the focus of a blueprint for its development into an Army Reserve.

The Army Reserve will consist of two elements. One element will provide personnel who will integrate with the full-time Defence Force units to bring them up to full operational strength in a contingency situation.

The second element will provide a three-Brigade Army Reserve formation as an overall reserve for the Army.

The blueprint, drawn up by an expert steering group, is a major historical milestone in the development of the Reserve Defence Force.

During the review process there were four briefings and consultations with the Reserve Defence Force Representative Association - and I was encouraged by the great commitment, loyalty and drive and their enthusiasm to have an improved national reserve.

In a few weeks, the RDFRA will hold their annual conference - and I'm confident that this important event will feature strongly as a talking point among delegates.

I support the aims of the blueprint - which envisages that the Army Reserve should comprise a total strength of about 12,000.

Almost 2,700 of those will be serving as part of integrated units with full-time army, navy and air corps units.

The Slua Muiri will also be developed to provide a capability for a more integrated Naval Reserve of approximately 400 people.

These changes indicate a commitment to the development of a totally new type of Reserve Defence Force, in a planned, structured and well thought-out manner over the course of the next six years.

There is much work to be done in the detail of reorganising and rejuvenating the Reserve - but the completion of the task will result in a modern, highly trained and effective force.

I am committed to ensuring that our Defence Forces have the best possible training and the best equipment. I also believe the Reserve should have the best possible training, equipment and opportunities.

I have earmarked a budget of pounds 55million for expenditure on new aircraft, a second ship for the navy at the cost of pounds 20million, which will be delivered by September, more helicopters and a fleet of 40 new armoured personnel carriers.

Modern effective anti-armour weapons, night vision equipment, engineer equipment and medical field equipment will also be purchased as part of my shopping plan to ensure our troops have the best of equipment.

In addition to ensuring the best equipment for our troops I have brought into force a policy of continuous recruitment - over 500 young and enthusiastic recruits were signed up last year bringing new blood and new ideas into a highly professional force.

While this equipment is being purchased for the Permanent Defence Forces, the blueprint for the Reserve envisages a large force of troops operating alongside the Permanent Defence Forces.

I intend to ensure that the clothing and equipment available to the Reserve Defence Force is improved.

There is a need for the introduction of a new training regime to enable the modernised Reserve to achieve a greater operational capacity.

An essential objective of the proposed training profile will be to ensure that most personnel will, in each 12-month period, undertake a total of 14 days paid training.

The new format of training will consist of nightly parades, field days, weekend training, annual training periods of two weeks duration and attendance at various courses.

An individual training log book will be introduced for each reservist, providing a detailed personal record of proficiency.

An important change recommended by the steering group which drew up this blueprint was that certain Reserve personnel should be considered for participation in overseas peace support missions, subject to appropriate qualifications, availability and advance training.

Service by reservists overseas is common elsewhere. I believe that such an initiative would serve as an important element to ensure the retention of a highly motivated and trained Reserve.

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