Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 61: To ask the Minister for Defence the progress made in regard to the commitment given in the programme for Government to prepare a second white paper on defence for the period 2011 to 2020. [24693/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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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 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.

Preliminary work will commence on this project in the autumn with the aim of publishing the new White Paper in the latter part of 2010.