Written answers

Thursday, 18 July 2013

Department of Defence

Green Paper on Defence

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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25. To ask the Minister for Defence when the Green Paper on Defence will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35718/13]

Photo of Andrew DoyleAndrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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589. To ask the Minister for Defence the discussions he has had with officials in his Department and the Irish Defence Forces regarding a policy review and a detailed discussion document of Irish defence policy; when he expects the new Green Paper on Defence to be published, followed by a White Paper on Defence; the number of meetings held to date and the date on which the meetings took place of the interdepartmental group comprising representatives from the Departments of Defence, Taoiseach, Foreign Affairs and Trade, Justice and Equality as well as the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána regarding the paper; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35984/13]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 589 together.

Ireland's first White Paper on Defence was published in 2000. In the period since its publication, there have been significant changes in the defence and security environment with the emergence of new and complex security challenges. In this context, the Government decided that there is a requirement to prepare a new White Paper on Defence. This will provide the policy framework for Defence, in all its aspects, for the next decade.

In order to ensure appropriate engagement in the formulation of a new White Paper on Defence, my colleague the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence initiated the preparation of a Green Paper on Defence. Following Government approval, the Green Paper on Defence was published on 16th July 2013.

A future defence and security assessment is set out in Section 6 of the Green Paper. The interdepartmental group which undertook that assessment formally met on three occasions: 28th May 2012, 2nd July 2012 and 12th December 2012 and work continued in the periods between meetings.

As the preparation of a new White Paper is a key objective for the Minister, it features in regular ongoing discussions between the Minister and senior personnel. The Green Paper was the topic of discussion for a high level conference of senior civil and military personnel from the Defence Organisation, which was attended by the Minister last November.

The purpose of the Green Paper is to inform and encourage members of the public and other interested parties to consider and submit their views. The Green Paper provides a comprehensive overview of the current Defence policy framework and anticipated future challenges. It sets out a number of focused policy questions for consideration and to guide submissions.

The Green Paper set out how members of the public and other interested parties can submit their views. It is anticipated that the new White Paper on Defence will be submitted to Government for approval by mid 2014.

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