Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his question. There will be widespread consultation following the publication of the Green Paper. I am very conscious that when the last White Paper was published it had very important content and it has stood the test of time, in fairness to those who published it, but it appeared a little like a rabbit out of a hat without the level of consultation that I believe should take place, which is why I decided to publish a Green Paper. It will pose a variety of questions and address a number of issues with a view to stimulating domestic debate and also place Ireland in the context in which we now find ourselves within the European Union where there has been substantial treaty changes. There is a very different environment with regard to European security and defence issues. We live in a different environment with regard to the level of international terrorism with which we are now confronted. Sometimes people forget that our White Paper was published prior to the 11 September atrocities, the London bombings and the treats posed by Muslim fundamentalists in various parts of Europe.

I am looking forward to engaging with my European colleagues on these issues, as well as being informed by them on issues of relevance to the formulation of our own White Paper. Obviously, we must ultimately make our own decisions about these matters. I am looking forward to Members participating in this process, as well as arranging several opportunities for people to express their views on the Green Paper including a conference in which it will be debated and discussed.

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