Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

The White Paper on defence has provided the policy framework and development strategy for defence for the past decade. The planning certainty arising from the policy provisions of the White Paper underpinned the modernisation process within the defence organisation. It also afforded the requisite flexibility to develop appropriate capabilities in response to changes in the defence and security environment.

The recent decisions on defence arising from the comprehensive review of expenditure have provided a degree of clarity on the resources available to the defence organisation in the short to medium term. In response to the Government's decision to revise the strength ceiling of the Permanent Defence Force to 9,500 personnel, I have initiated a major reorganisation of the Defence Forces. This will encompass a reduction in the number of Army brigades from three to two.

Having considered the preliminary work undertaken on the preparation of a new White Paper on defence, I decided to expand the planned consultative process by initiating the preparation of a Green Paper on defence. The Green Paper will initiate a broad consultative process. The purpose will be to elicit an informed debate on Ireland's defence policy. The clarity provided by a settled policy framework drives and facilitates service provision. A further long-term policy framework will facilitate planning for and delivery of the required defence outputs. I intend to bring a memorandum to the Government in early 2012 seeking approval to formally launch the process. At this stage, I expect to publish the Green Paper on defence by the end of the year.

See this speech in context