Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We will have an opportunity to debate the defence White Paper again, I suspect. I hope Deputy Naughten will be part of that debate and I am sure he will be. I have repeatedly given commitments on Custume Barracks in Athlone. The numbers stationed there now are higher than they were under the previous Administration even though many people have said otherwise. We intend to ensure that commitments that were given to the late Nicky McFadden are honoured. I am not sure it is appropriate to raise that commitment here, but since the Deputy has raised it, I am happy to say I intend to honour it. However, we will honour it in a way that makes sense in terms of structures and management within the Defence Forces. That will not be decided by a politician. It will be decided in consultation between the Defence Forces, the Department of Defence and the Minister. However, the commitment is clear in that regard and it will remain the case.

Some of today's comments may be linked to people looking to elections down the track. I get the impression that if our White Paper proposed doubling the numbers in the Defence Forces, Fianna Fáil would add another 1,000 to it and that would be its statement. People need to look at what is happening in the Defence Forces and the commitments that have been made, which are being delivered on. The White Paper will be published in advance of September. We will have an opportunity to debate it at that stage. I will happily have that debate because the White Paper contains a considerable amount that people will want to debate and discuss.

Today is not really about the White Paper as such, but of course Deputies have the right to raise general issues in the context of a Second Stage debate. The Bill introduces a technical amendment to legislation that, I accept, probably needs a broader review. It will allow for the smooth transition from one chief of staff to the next. It happens to be that somebody, who has moved through the naval ranks, has been a naval officer in the past and is currently the deputy chief of staff, is now the recommended Government appointee and we need to facilitate that. That is what we are focusing on today.

There was a broader discussion on neutrality and how it is protected in the White Paper in a way that is consistent with foreign policy papers that have been published in the past six or eight months. When the White Paper is published Deputies will see that the settled policy on Irish military neutrality remains consistent with the new White Paper.

The issue of promotions was raised. Many promotions are taking place in the Defence Forces at the moment and there is also considerable recruitment. There is also investment in the Defence Forces. In the coming days a new naval vessel will arrive into Cork Harbour. We will also see the product of new missions to which the Government has committed. The LE Eithnewill also be returning to Haulbowline on Friday morning and I am looking forward to meeting those personnel when they arrive.

A lot is happening in defence at the moment and most of it is positive. We have a future vision for the Defence Forces which will be published before September and I would be more than happy to have a debate on that when it is published to allow people to get under the skin of some of the things we are proposing. There will be an opportunity for everybody to discuss numbers, reviews, new ideas, and maintaining and supporting current structures of management and roles in the Defence Forces. I appeal to Deputies to facilitate us today in making a technical change to allow us appoint a new Chief of Staff who is more than qualified for the job.

See this speech in context