Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Question 56: To ask the Minister for Defence when the drafting of his Department's and the Defence Forces Strategy Statement 2008 to 2010 was completed; if the document was amended to take into account recent economic developments; if so, the changes that were made; if not, if he will assure Dáil Éireann that all of the commitments and provisions contained in the strategy statement 2008 to 2010 will be fulfilled and will not be negatively impacted on by reductions in expenditure due to the current economic and budgetary crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9861/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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On foot of changes to the Government in May 2008, I approved a revised Strategy Statement for the period 2008 — 2010 in August 2008. The revised Statement updated the Strategy Statement for 2008 — 2010 that had been published in February 2008.

Clearly, the economic environment has deteriorated dramatically in the period since the Strategy Statement was published.

As with the public service generally, the Defence organisation is required to operate with reduced funding. The Strategy Statement sets out the intended direction for the Defence organisation over the period 2008 — 2010. The careful management of resources is ensuring that we are making progress and moving forward. The Strategy Statement will continue to provide the overarching direction for the Defence organisation and available resources will continue to be targeted on the effective delivery of the tasks assigned by Government.

The Defence organisation has a proven track record of effectively managing resources and the significant investment and modernisation over the past decade has ensured that the current organisation is strong and well positioned to face the challenges ahead.