Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 707: To ask the Minister for Defence if he made submissions to the McCarthy group on potential savings in his Department; the contents of the submissions made; if the McCarthy group made proposals to him; the contents of the proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28893/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes requested all Departments to prepare evaluation papers outlining potential areas for savings in staff numbers and expenditure. Such papers were prepared in respect of the Defence Group of Votes. The Secretary General of my Department and the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces met with the Special Group in the course of its deliberations.

The Minister for Finance has recently received the Report of the Special Group and it is anticipated that he will bring the Report to Government in the near future. Decisions on the release of the Report and associated documents will be made by Government in that context.