43 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 14 of 17 December 1997, he has finalised his deliberations on the constitution of the joint military and civilian Reserve Defence Force review group; the persons selected to participate in the group; the way in which the consultative group, which he referred to in his verbal reply, will be constituted; the working arrangements which apply to both; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5004/98]

52 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Defence if he intends to direct the military authorities to include any FCA officers on the military side of the joint military and civilian reserve force study group recently announced. [5039/98]

66 Mr. D. Carey asked the Minister for Defence if he intends to direct the military authorities to include any FCA officers on the military side of the joint military and civilian reserve force study group recently announced. [5040/98]

79 Mr. L. Burke asked the Minister for Defence if he intends to direct the military authorities to include any FCA officers on the military side of the joint military and civilian reserve force study group recently announced. [5038/98]

107 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Defence the studies, if any, of the Reserve Forces under way; if so, the persons undertaking these studies; the reservists, if any, who are included among them; the terms of reference of these studies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5008/98]

113 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Defence the studies, if any, of the Reserve Forces under way; if so, the persons undertaking these studies; the reservists, if any, who are included among them; the terms of reference of these studies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5009/98]

117 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Defence if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 14 of 17 December 1997, he has finalised his deliberations on the constitution of the joint military and civilian Reserve Defence Force review group; the persons selected to participate on the group; the way in which the consultative group will be constituted; the working arrangements which apply to both; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5005/98]

133 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 14 of 17 December 1997, he has finalised his deliberations on the constitution of the joint military and civilian Reserve Defence Force review group; the persons selected to participate on the group; the way in which the consultative group will be constituted; the working arrangements which apply to both; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5002/98]

137 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Defence the studies, if any, of the Reserve Forces under way; if so, the persons undertaking these studies; the reservists, if any, who are included among them; the terms of reference of these studies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5011/98]

159 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 14 of 17 December 1997 in relation to the joint military and civilian Reserve Defence Force review group, if he has finalised his deliberations on the constitution of that group; the persons selected to participate in the group; the way in which the consultative group will be constituted; the working arrangements which will apply to both; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5174/98]

163 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the studies, if any, of the Reserve Forces under way; the individuals undertaking these studies; the reservists, if any, included among them; the terms of reference of these studies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5178/98]

164 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence if he intends to direct the military authorities to include FCA officers on the military side of the joint military and civilian Reserve Defence Force study group recently announced. [5179/98]

172 Mr. M. Brady asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has to further strengthen the numbers in the FCA; and the plans, if any, he has for the provision of additional resources and training. [5203/98]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 43, 52, 66, 79, 107, 113, 117, 133, 137, 159, 163, 164 and 172 together.

The membership of the joint military and civilian steering group to oversee the study of the Reserve Defence Force has now been finalised and it has already held its first meeting. The group is comprised of an independent chairman, three senior military officers, three senior civil servants from my Department and a serving FCA officer. In October 1997, the Chief of Staff established a military board to conduct a special study of the Reserve Defence Force. This board is required to consult with a consultative group consisting of members of the Reserve Defence Force. The consultative group, the members of which were nominated by the General Officers Commanding, Commands and the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Service, comprises commissioned and non-commissioned officers from the four Commands and from the Slua Muirí.