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

I am of the view that the preparation for a new White Paper on Defence will benefit greatly from an informed and wide-ranging debate on Ireland’s defence policy. To that end I decided to initiate the preparation of a Green Paper on Defence. When published, the Green Paper will initiate and inform a broad consultative process as part of the development of a new White Paper. A draft Green Paper was submitted to me recently for my consideration. The approach taken is to assess the defence and security environment and on this basis to pose questions to inform the debate on defence policy. I will shortly bring a memorandum for Government to Cabinet seeking formal approval to publish the document and to initiate the consultation process to inform the White Paper on Defence. The views of members of the public and other interested parties on defence policy and defence provision will be welcomed during the consultative phase. The new White Paper on Defence is scheduled for completion in early 2014.

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