Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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232. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence in relation to the proposed ‘Consultative Forum on International Security Policy’, the estimated cost of the forum; if he will provide a breakdown of these costs, in tabular form; if the forum is included in the supplementary/revised estimates for Vote 28; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27589/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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In order to build a deeper understanding of the threats faced by the State, and the links to, and between, our foreign, security and defence policy, I have convened a Consultative Forum on International Security Policy. The Forum will take place in three different locations; on 22 June at University College Cork, on 23 June at the University of Galway, and on 26-27 June at Dublin Castle.

The Forum will be open, inclusive, and as the name suggests, consultative. It will involve a wide range of stakeholders, with participation from civilian and military experts and practitioners. Attendance at the Forum will consist of Irish and international participants with expertise and practical experience in the areas to be discussed, as well as members of the public. There will be capacity for up to 1,000 attendees over the four days that the Forum will meet. The Department of Defence and the Department of Foreign Affairs are consulting with academic, civil society, research and state agency partners to identify a wide range of speakers and participants, representing a breadth of experience and views from both home and abroad..

Costs related to the Forum will be split on an equal basis between the Department of Defence and the Department of Foreign Affairs. The contribution by the Department of Defence will be made from within existing resources in Vote 36 (Defence).

Expenditure related to the Forum will be in line with the Public Spending Code to ensure value-for-money.

At this stage of planning, it is not yet possible to give a final estimate of the costs. The figures presented in the table below therefore reflect a broad estimate of costs with contingencies built in, and are subject to revision.

An honorarium will be paid to the Chairperson of the Consultative Forum at a per diem rate sanctioned by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.