Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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23. To ask the Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the White Paper for Defence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43239/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The preparation of a new White Paper on Defence is a key priority as it will provide the defence policy framework for the next decade and beyond. Defence policy is a critical aspect of Government policy and I am determined to ensure that the new White Paper fully addresses the Defence response to future security challenges and related resource requirements in a comprehensive way. Work on the White Paper on Defence is progressing well. Working groups comprising civil and military representatives from the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces are considering likely future operational demands and the types of defence capabilities required to meet these demands. 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 discussions with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade including on their ongoing review of Ireland’s foreign policy and external relations. These discussions are continuing, as required, throughout the White Paper process.

I anticipate that an initial draft White Paper will be submitted to me for my consideration by the end of 2014. The final draft of the White Paper will be submitted to Government in due course.