Dáil debates

Wednesday, 8 February 2012

3:00 pm

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

The idea is that we will ultimately produce a White Paper that will prescribe the policy approach to defence matters for the next decade, as the previous White Paper did for the last decade. The Green Paper will be a consultative document. It will be produced by my Department in consultation with others. I hope that not just Members of the House but also the broader community will engage in the public consultation process. I have no doubt that the representative associations will have an input into the process. Essentially, it will deal with policy issues and I am looking forward to an open and broad debate. In some areas it may raise questions for debate or propose options on how we deal with particular matters. I hope we will have an informed discussion in advance of the finalisation of the White Paper.

One issue which I am considering is that, following publication of the Green Paper, the justice and defence committee receive submissions and hold hearings on the White Paper in order that we have the broadest possible consultative phase. My recollection of the process for the previous White Paper - I was Opposition spokesperson on defence at the time - is that it emerged from the Government and was presented without this kind of consultative process being undertaken, although I am sure the Government of the day engaged in some consultations. We should have a more transparent process. Ultimately, it will fall to me to make proposals to the Government on the final format of the White Paper and to the Government to make a decision on it. This is a new way of proceeding in what is a very important area which is not often subject to adequate comprehensive public examination and debate.

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