Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

Is there a timetable for this process? As the Minister said, our Defence Forces are facing very different challenges in terms of international duties, which I am glad to see we have recommenced, and also in terms of the issue raised by Deputy O'Brien in his question, which is possibly the biggest challenge facing the Defence Forces. How does he intend to ensure we have constructive public involvement and that the challenges associated with the implementation of a White Paper will be fully met?

I acknowledge the transformation that has occurred in the Defence Forces under the previous White Paper. It is essential that we build on that transformation and challenge our Defence Forces to respond to it by giving them the most ambitious White Paper possible within the constraints that exist.

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