Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I am keenly aware of the concerns expressed by some of the members of the Reserve Defence Force. I attended the annual meeting and used my time to engage with members of the force and discuss their concerns. I am, of course, aware of the importance of maintaining the Reserve Defence Force and its role will be one of the issues to be addressed in the White Paper. I believe I would have told the House at an early stage that before we published a White Paper it was my intention to publish a Green Paper to afford an opportunity for public debate and input by Members of the House into the contents of the White Paper. I am conscious that the previous White Paper essentially laid down a prescription for the Defence Forces for more than a decade. I am conscious, therefore, of the timeframe that may apply to a new White Paper and I am anxious that Members and the general public have an opportunity to feed into the process. The White Paper will address issues relating to the Reserve Defence Force, but the Green Paper initially will do so also. It will afford members of the Reserve Defence Force the opportunity to feed into the deliberative process. I do not want to prejudge the future role of the Reserve Defence Force in the context of what I hope will prove to be a constructive public discussion and discussion in this House on the Green Paper when finalised which I hope will happen, if not before the end of this year, very early next year.

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