Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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124. To ask the Minister for Defence if an association (details supplied) can submit a submission on the defence White Paper; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25503/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The public consultation on the White Paper on Defence afforded all members of the public, whether as individuals, as groups or as organisations to make submissions on the formulation of the White Paper. A submission to the White Paper on Defence was received from ARCO during the public consultation phase.

As part of the consultative process, a number of those 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 afford certain individuals and organisations with the opportunity to elaborate further on their submission. It also allowed the personnel from the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces to explore aspects of the submission. In this context, a meeting was held with ARCO and their further input to the White Paper was obtained.

I recently held a symposium on the White Paper, the purpose of which was to provide a wide stakeholder group with the opportunity to discuss and debate differing policy emphases as part of the concluding phase of the preparation of the new White Paper on Defence. The audience comprised top level civil and military staff of the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces, representatives from across Irish State Departments and representatives from national and international organisations. Representatives from ARCO were among the symposium participants.

The preparation of the White Paper is nearing completion. Further submissions are not being sought at this stage. I anticipate that the final draft of the White Paper will be submitted to Government shortly.