Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

The proposals in the first White Paper in 2000 have had a huge influence on the development of the Defence Forces into a highly professional, highly organised, well resourced organisation and this would not have happened in the same away or as effectively in the absence of the White Paper.

With regard to the new White Paper, I have invited a number of interested parties, among them the Defence Forces representative organisations, to have an involvement in the process. I have advised Departments that I intend undertaking that process. People who wish to make a submission or to have their voices heard need a reasonable period within which to do that. A number of months in the early part of next year is the appropriate timeframe for that and it is worth doing. Some organisations and individuals, including some in the academic world, with an interest in this area are anxious to have a constructive input to the process. I am hopeful the Houses of the Oireachtas through the relevant committee will also be centrally involved in that. I am not aware of any advertisements being placed at this stage but I will check that for the Deputy.

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