Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 56: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will identify any red line issues in his Department in terms of the forthcoming spending review. [12071/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The commencement of a comprehensive review of expenditure across all Government Departments was recently announced. This review will assist the Government in consolidating the public finances and in targeting resources at Government objectives. In this context, officials from my Department, in consultation with the Military authorities, are currently examining Defence expenditure. The Review will present options for savings in line with an analytical template provided by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Departmental submissions will be reviewed by a central Steering Committee in advance of their being forwarded to Government. In order to ensure a comprehensive approach, no area of Defence expenditure will be exempted from the Review.

Delivering public services within a reduced resource envelope is a key challenge facing the entire public service. There is a requirement to ensure that programmes are effective and are delivered in the most efficient manner. It will also be necessary to prioritise within and between expenditure programmes, in light of the requirement for further fiscal consolidation.

The Defence Organisation has a proven track record of successful reform and modernisation. The skills acquired in this regard over the past decade will assist in identifying options for savings while maintaining the delivery of Defence services and capabilities to the greatest extent possible.