Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The White Paper on Defence sets the defence policy agenda for the next ten years. It encompasses the Government’s policy on defence of the State from armed aggression, the defence contribution to domestic security, the defence contribution to international peace and security and a broad range of other “non-security” roles which the Government requires the Defence Forces and Civil Defence to undertake. It considers the defence capabilities required so that the Defence Forces can successfully deliver on the roles assigned by the Government. Finally, the White Paper also considers implementation and the actions required to ensure that defence planning and provision processes are further developed.

Therefore, the White Paper encompasses all work carried out by the Department of Defence, the Defence Forces and Civil Defence. The 88 actions or projects which have been specifically identified are a subset of the totality of the work being carried out to implement the White Paper. Implementation of the specific actions arising from the White Paper will be carried out over a ten year period. The initiation of each action is planned across the ten year period of the White Paper up to 2025. Actions are being initiated on a phased basis in order to reflect the programme for a partnership Government and strategy statement commitments, the related nature of some projects and resourcing implications. This process is being kept under review and will be subject to change as issues arise.

The White Paper actions are being implemented through the use of a project management framework. Civil-military project teams are being established for each action as it is initiated.

Progress on implementation will be reported on as part of the annual report and be comprehended within the development of the planned fixed cycle of defence reviews. A core aim of implementation is to ensure that White Paper actions are fully embedded in the day-to-day business of the Defence organisation. Updates on specific actions will be published in the normal manner through already existing channels.

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