Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

41. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of the development of a new institute for leadership and peacekeeping studies at the Defence Forces Training Centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16864/16]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to develop a new Institute for Peace Support and Leadership Training at the Defence Forces Training Centre in the Curragh. This commitment was also reflected in the White Paper on Defence, published in August 2015, which sets out the policy framework for the Defence Organisation for the next ten years and beyond. It is foreseen that the new Institute will have international standing and contribute to the overall development of knowledge and experience in the areas of peace support, leadership and conflict resolution.

Good progress has been made since publication of the White Paper in development of the concept for the Institute. This has included intial consultation with national and international third level and research institutes and potential philanthropic contributors. While some further consultation with these and other organisations is required, an Institute Development Task Force to progress the concept and develop an implementation plan is now being established. It is also planned to hold a major international symposium to debate and consider the role which Ireland and the Institute can play in Peace and Leadership and to advise on the initial programme for the Institute.

In its Public Capital Programme, the Government has allocated an initial €10 million for a capital building programme towards financing the construction of this new Institute in the Curragh. I hope to showcase the initial shape of the Institute once specific timescales for the establishment and roll out of the proposal have been identified by the Institute Development Task Force.