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

As far as I recollect there are no powers the Minister of Defence has normally of which I have been relieved. On the assumption that I remain sane, I assure the Deputy that I have no intention of posing any threat to the State by virtue of my being in this unusual position of being Minister for Defence and Minister for Justice and Equality. The two Departments are entirely separate but in the modern context there are interesting overlaps. International terrorism and the threats that may be posed to this State, or the threat those engaged in terrorism might pose to other states by locating here, create an overlap of concerns for both Departments. Cybersecurity also leads to overlaps and it is beneficial at European Union level to participate in summits for both Defence Ministers and Justice Ministers. At EU level there should be greater connectivity in dealing with some of these issues where there is clearly an overlap.

The White Paper will deal comprehensively with defence issues. The Deputy suggests my having both portfolios poses a risk to the defence of the State. It is a matter for the Taoiseach of the day to determine how to appropriately appoint Ministers and what positions they should hold. All Members of the House will find the Green Paper on defence interesting. I must bring it before Cabinet before it is published. It sets out defence issues as they are today and raises questions in the context of the today's world and will result in a very interesting conversation.

I would hope by the end of this month, or if not, certainly early next month, depending on Cabinet pressures, that the paper will be published and we will enter the discussion process. I look forward to the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality taking up the matter to engage in public discussion on the Green Paper.

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