Brendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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49. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the timeframe for the full implementation of the White Paper on Defence; when it will be fully completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3656/18]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The 2015 White Paper on Defence sets the defence policy agenda over a ten year planning horizon and encompasses all work carried out by the Department of Defence, the Defence Forces and Civil Defence. It comprehends the Government’s policy on defence of the State from armed aggression, the defence contribution to domestic security, the defence contribution to international peace and security and a broad range of other “non-security” roles which the Government require the Defence Forces and Civil Defence to undertake. It considers the defence capabilities required so that the Defence Forces can successfully deliver on the roles assigned by Government. Finally, the White Paper also considers implementation and the actions required to ensure that defence planning and provision processes are further developed.

During scoping of the White Paper implementation programme 88 actions or projects were specifically identified. These actions represent a subset of the totality of the work being carried out as part of the implementation programme for the White Paper.  While it is currently intended to have all 88 projects initiated or completed by the end of the ten year implementation programme, work in certain areas will continue beyond 2025 in order to ensure that changes, improvements and actions envisaged in the White Paper are fully implemented and to assure that positive outcomes endure and are embedded in the day to day business of the Defence Organisation.

Implementation of the specific actions identified in the White Paper is being carried out on a phased basis over a ten year period out to 2025. Implementation on a phased basis is necessary in order to reflect Programme for Partnership Government and Strategy Statement commitments, the related nature of some projects and resourcing implications.  This process is being kept under review and will be subject to change as issues arise and other business dictates.

Progress on implementation will be reported on as part of the Annual Report and be comprehended within the development of the planned fixed cycle of defence reviews.