Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Defence the latest situation with regard to the Green Paper on Defence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6410/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | 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.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I had better be quick, in view of how clinical you are, Chairman, on the matter of time.

I welcome the fact that the Minister has embarked on a consultation process. Can he give us a sense of the timelines involved? How quickly will he start the consultation and how long will it last?

With regard to something that has interested me since the Government was formed, will the Green Paper address the reality that a Minister for Justice and Equality also holds the Defence portfolio?

Could that be explored as an issue in the Green Paper and the subsequent White Paper? Is there any other democracy where the person who is in control of the police force is also in control of the military? Are there any powers the Minister for Defence might normally hold of which the Minister has been divested by virtue of the fact he is also Minister for Justice and Equality?

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | 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.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

On the Minister's dual role, are any of his European partners in the same position as the Minister with both portfolios or can he point out any developed democracy where a similar situation prevails? I accept the Minister does not represent a threat to the security of the State. The gardaí might not be thrilled about the threat the Minister represents to them and I hope the Defence Forces do not have cause arising from the pay claims to have any concerns. The precedent appears to have been set in this country.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My recollection is that a ministerial colleague from one of the smaller EU states holds both portfolios. I will inform the Deputy in writing. I am thinking of two states and I do not want to be mistaken.

I note with interest that the Deputy's colleague, Deputy Niall Collins, keeps complaining that we recruited 600 new members of the Defence Forces during 2012. It seems to be a regular cause of complaint on his part, with him suggesting we should recruit for the Garda Síochána and not the Defence Forces. It is worth noting that Deputy Ó Fearghaíl never complains about recruitment into the Defence Forces. It might be a good idea for the Deputies to discuss that issue with each other so they can coordinate an approach that does not suggest we should stop recruitment into the Defence Forces or that it is a legitimate criticism of my occupying this office that we brought Defence Forces numbers back up to 9,500 rather than letting them fall well into the 8,000s as a consequence of Fianna Fáil failing to recruit in the years prior to my appointment.