Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach and I welcome Congressman Swalwell.

I will make a number of further comments. It was a recommendation, as pointed out by the Minister of State, from the Commission on the Defence Forces in 2022 that there would be a regeneration plan for the RDF. It is in the works but my frustration with it, and indeed the frustration of many other people who know a great deal more about this than I do, is the slowness of it. I say that with great respect to the Minister of State as this is not his brief but I ask that the Minister of State please say to the Tánaiste that we are very anxious this would be accelerated. Even the third quarter of this year is a bit far away and I am not being facetious when I say that I do not believe it is rocket science to produce this plan quickly and get it up there. It is well known what needs to go into it and, like I said, we can make the RDF an exciting group to be in and can work with employers to be facilitative. We can create an environment where Reserve members can do many things particularly with apprenticeships, etc., and to just make it better.

I welcome the presence of the Minister of State and thank him for his response.I am concerned that we get real action here soon across the whole area. I ask the Minister of State to point that out to the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence. This needs to be done for the young people concerned but also given the current geopolitical climate. We need to do it for 110 reasons. I thank the Minister of State.