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

I agree that there is a need for continuing investment. This is a very important matter in the context of the Defence Forces. It will not have escaped the Deputy's notice that the State has been in great financial difficulties for the past three years and we have been obliged to substantially reduce our expenditure, both current and capital. There has been a decreasing envelope of capital expenditure in respect of the Defence Forces. Cuts to expenditure have, of course, been the case for every other Department. Nevertheless, some very important developments have occurred and I listed some of those in my initial reply.

As the Deputy is aware, we are currently working to produce a White Paper on defence. Obviously, the latter will address the issue of capital investment in the Defence Forces. An assessment is currently under way into the capital needs of the Defence Forces but, having said that, I do not want to pre-empt what might be contained in the White Paper. The Deputy may rest assured that while we may disagree on some issues, I am quite happy to inform him that there is no doubt in my mind regarding the need for continuing investment in the Defence Forces. My Department is, of course, committed to securing such investment. I refer here to necessary investment and, in that context, one must identify where the priorities lie. Those priorities are identified in consultation with the general staff.

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