Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

51. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans for a peace and leadership institute in the Curragh; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44032/17]

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

As you will be aware from my response to your previous PQ 23328/17 on 17 May 2017, the White Paper on Defence included a commitment to evaluating the potential development of a new Institute for Peace Support and Leadership Training at the Defence Forces Training Centre in The Curragh. The Programme for a Partnership Government also included a commitment to developing this Institute. 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.

Scoping work was carried out on the proposal throughout 2016. A concept paper has been developed and some initial consultation with national and international third level and research institutes and potential philanthropic contributors has also taken place. Arising from this initial scoping work, it was decided to conduct a formal feasibility study. The evaluation of tenders received in relation to the feasibility study is currently ongoing.