Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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18. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of submissions he has received to date on the Green Paper on defence; the consultations that have been held by his Department; the expected time-line for the White Paper on defence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5561/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Green Paper on Defence, which was published in July 2013, initiated a public consultation process which will inform the development of the next White Paper on Defence. A total of 122 submissions were received during the consultation phase.

As part of the consultative process, a number of people who made written submissions were invited to meet with civil and military staff of the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces. The purpose of these meetings was to provide the opportunity to certain individuals/organisations to elaborate further on their submission. It also allowed the representatives from the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces to explore aspects of these submissions.

Discussions have been held with other Government Departments on cross-cutting policy issues and likely future demands from government bodies and state agencies. These discussions will continue, as required, throughout the White Paper process. International bodies are also being consulted on likely future Defence developments. The White Paper on Defence is due to be completed and submitted to Government for approval later this year.