Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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26. To ask the Minister for Defence in view of recent hostilities in eastern Europe, his plans to review the resources allocated to the Defence Forces for peacekeeping operations, either in relation to equipment or the recruitment of additional personnel into the forces for possible future peacekeeping operations along Europe’s border with Russia. [34544/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The development of a new White Paper on Defence is underway. The White Paper will provide the future policy framework for Defence and Defence provision for the next decade. A key part of the development of the White Paper is the consideration of potential challenges to our defence and security environment that may emerge into the future. As recent events have highlighted the defence and security environment can be volatile and unpredictable.

Future capability requirements, including those in relation to overseas peace support missions, are being considered in the drafting of the new White Paper on Defence. Working Groups comprising civil and military representatives from the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces are currently considering future operational demands and the defence capabilities required to meet projected future operational requirements.

In the course of their deliberations, the Working Groups are taking into consideration the inputs received from a wide variety of stakeholders. This includes the views of international organisations which have been sought with a particular focus on likely future trends in international peace support operations.

Discussions have also been held with a range of other Government Departments on cross-cutting policy issues and likely future demands from Government bodies and State agencies. This includes the ongoing review of Ireland’s Foreign Policy and External Relations. These discussions are continuing, as required, throughout the White Paper process.

This ongoing work will underpin recommendations regarding future defence provision at home and overseas.