Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 138: To ask the Minister for Defence if work has commenced on preparing the second White Paper on Defence; if the Defence Forces representative associations will be consulted during the preparatory phase; if they will be consulted on the draft White Paper before it is presented to Government for approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3615/09]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 151: To ask the Minister for Defence when he expects to publish the White Paper on Defence for the period 2011 to 2020 promised in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3515/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 151 together.

The current White Paper on Defence, which was published in February 2000, was the first-ever White Paper on Defence and set out the policy framework and development strategy for the period 2000 — 2010. The overall Government objective was to achieve affordable and sustainable Defence Forces capable of fulfilling the roles laid down by Government.

A detailed review of White Paper implementation has been conducted and a report was published in April 2007 outlining the findings. The report found that substantial progress has been made. The many detailed recommendations for change that were laid out in the White Paper have been implemented or are being implemented according to agreed timetables. The report also concludes that all the detailed targets should be met within the time-frame of the White Paper i.e. up to 2010.

The Department of Defence and Defence Forces Strategy Statement 2008 — 2010 includes the commitment to prepare a new White Paper on Defence, in line with the Agreed Programme for Government.

Work will commence on this project in the coming months with the aim of publishing the new White Paper in the latter part of 2010. The Defence Forces representative associations will be consulted during the preparation of the White Paper. Their views will be a welcome input to the consideration of the issues arising. In addition there will be broad consultation with other relevant stakeholders. This consultation will inform the drafting of the White Paper which will ultimately be submitted to Government for approval.