THREAD:

I find myself again with mixed emotions.

I am happy to see progressive announcements, but concerned over the lack of supporting substance from @IRLDeptDefence.

Allowing Reservists to serve overseas is a step in the right direction, but..... https://www.businesspost.ie/ireland/reserve-defence-forces-could-serve-overseas-for-first-time-6ab3a1e5

Where is the support strategy?

I don't see anything mentioning Reservist employers.

Nor renumerating Reservists for income deficiencies between civilian and military pay.

What about establishing purpose built legislation, written specifically to support Reservists on duty?

Regrettably, the substantial legislative proposals that promote the interests of the Reserve have not come from Government.

The Reserve now enjoys employment protection legislation, (that the Govt voted against) as part of the COVID emergency legislation brought by @BerryCathal

But the legislation that enables the mobilisation of Reservists doesn't account for Aide to Civil Authority.

Which is why @simoncoveney mentions Reservists who "voluntary" serve, & "whose personal circumstances have allowed them to do so".

Does that strike you as good planning?

When the Minister for Defence commends Reservists responding to the pandemic "whose personal circumstances have allowed them to do so". What he is actually saying is "who are willing to absorb all the risk should anything bad happen".

Think about that.

On overseas: Take me as an example.

Let's say I have a skillset that the Defence Forces want as part of a 4 week training exercise in Germany.

I work for a multinational tech company. It doesn't have a policy that supports Reservists in Ireland.

I have 25 days annual leave.

Am I, as a father of 2, with an intensive project oriented full time job going to give up 80% of my annual leave for the Defence Forces?

No

If I was allowed to take unpaid leave, will the Defence Forces match my lost income.

No

So where is the incentive for me or my employer?

What we need is legislation that protects Reservists employment in the event of operational mobilisation

We also need an intermediary body between Defence and Industry to engage & incentivise employers to develop corporate policy that supports the Defence narrative
@MccrumJacqui

Ideally, an intermediary body similar to @DRM_Support should be able to advocate on behalf of Defence to employers to encourage them see the professional and national benefits of releasing their employees for overseas training with structured Reserve Forces Leave Policies.

A successful Reserve Force must guarantee the availability & quality of Reservists.

Having a policy of voluntary service with Reservists "whose personal circumstances allow them to do so" is simply not viable nor sustainable.

We either want the Reserve to succeed, or we don't.