Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

The White Paper on Defence 2000 charted an ambitious modernisation agenda for the defence organisation. The White Paper built upon previous reforms, including those introduced in the Defence Forces review implementation plan.

The downsizing of the Permanent Defence Force from 11,500 to 10,500, arising from the implementation of the White Paper, allowed for the re-balancing of the pay to non-pay ratio of the Defence Forces to 70:30. The proceeds of pay savings were necessarily re-invested in equipment and infrastructure. In addition, the Government agreed that the proceeds of property sales would also be made available for re-investment in the Defence Forces. A wide range of other recommendations included in the White Paper were subsequently implemented. The net effect of this reform agenda has been a significant improvement in the capabilities of the Defence Forces and overall a more efficient and effective defence organisation.

The defence and security environment has continued to evolve over the period since publication of the White Paper. The defence organisation has adapted to this changed environment. The additional workloads from the establishment of the Office of Emergency Planning and the evolution of European security and defence policy, have all been met from within existing resources.

Overseas, UN peace support operations have changed, with an increased reliance by the UN on regional organisations such as the EU and missions with more robust Chapter VII mandates. This has driven the requirement for greater interoperability with high tech European armies. The Defence Forces have met these exacting standards and are now partners of choice for nations involved in such missions. The recent deployment to Chad, the most challenging logistical operation that the Defence Forces have undertaken to date, highlights the significant progress that has been made. This is in addition to the ongoing delivery of high quality services at home.

The reforms within the Defence Forces are widely acknowledged as a public service success story. The Defence Forces have delivered all services required of them since publication of the White Paper.

Notwithstanding the success of the White Paper, we are now in challenging times. The economic reality is such that the defence organisation must contribute to the correction of the public finances. The report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes recommended a reduction in Permanent Defence Force numbers by 500, to be achieved over a two to three year period "as operational requirement allow". In March of this year, the Government introduced a moratorium on recruitment and promotion within the public service.

I have been in contact with my colleague the Minister for Finance with regard to targeted exemptions from the moratorium. There are higher turnover levels in the Defence Forces relative to other areas of the public service and this is normal for military organisations. Due to this higher turnover level we have now reached a strength level of 10,013 with effect from 31 October 2009.

Planned expenditure levels for the Department will be considered as part of the Estimates and budgetary process for 2010. This will include consideration of the special group's recommendations, the impact of the moratorium and the delivery of defence services. This matter is subject to an ongoing deliberative process which will conclude shortly.

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