Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 15: To ask the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied that in view of the current economic situation, the strength of the Army, Navy and Air Corps can be maintained at least at its present level, having particular regard to ongoing and likely demands arising from overseas deployment, emergency relief measures arising from inclement weather conditions, security or rescue services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31564/11]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 16: To ask the Minister for Defence if, in the context of the current review of expenditure and assessment of facilities within the Defence Forces, he will ensure that any budgetary changes will be minimised and will not affect the operational capacity of the Army, Navy or Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31563/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 16 together.

My priority as Minister is to ensure that the capacity of the Defence Forces will be maintained to the greatest extent possible given the very serious economic situation.

In Ireland, Defence policy encompasses national security roles other than the traditional narrow role of territorial defence. These include supporting An Garda Síochána in the maintenance of domestic security and, in the regional and global spheres, contributing to conflict prevention, peacekeeping and crisis management operations. It is the policy of this Government, within the very serious resource constraints that we face, to resource the Defence Forces to maintain operational capacity, to the greatest extent possible.

Unlike many other countries, our military capabilities are not just limited for national defence contingencies or overseas missions. The outputs of the Defence Organisation form an integral part of a multidimensional defence, security and support framework. The Permanent Defence Force is utilised on an ongoing basis to provide a broad range of security and other services.

In addition to the traditional Defence and Security roles, the Defence Forces provide a broad range of other services to other Government Departments and Agencies, including Fishery Protection, an Air Ambulance service and assistance to civil authorities during emergencies such as the response to the severe weather crises in the past two winters.

As I said earlier this year when this House approved the deployment of troops to the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon, it is vitally important for Ireland to maintain a level of commitment to international peacekeeping operations and the obligations it has assumed through its membership of the UN. Overseas operations also contribute greatly to the professional development of the Defence Forces.

I am advised that at this time the Defence Forces retain the capacity to undertake the tasks laid down by Government both home and overseas. This requires an ongoing prioritisation of resource allocation within the Defence Organisation.

The Government's decisions arising from the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure will further inform the resource envelope available for Defence over the coming years. The level of resources will determine whether the current level of strength can be maintained.

When the level of resources that will be made available to Defence has been determined, I will be in a better position to provide details of the capacity and capabilities that can be provided by the organisation in the future.