Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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53. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the progress of the review of high level command and control structures; if high level command and control structures operate using international best practices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30538/19]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The White Paper on Defence gave a commitment that the Secretary General and the Chief of Staff would jointly undertake a review of the current high level command and control structures in the Defence Forces having regard to international best practice on military command and control and drawing upon external expertise.  This review was also to include a review for managing joint operations and intelligence. 

During scoping of the White Paper implementation programme 88 actions or projects were specifically identified.  One of these is the review of high level command and control.   This project was initiated in June 2016 and work has continued on this project including a review of high level command and control internationally.  Stages completed so far include the stakeholder analysis of senior civil and military management, in-depth analysis and engagement with four international comparators, survey of EU and PIAG states, two engagements with the external consultant and the production of an interim and a supplementary report on work carried out during the analysis phase of the project.  Further research is now being carried out prior to the commencement of the model development stage of the project.   The Secretary General and the Chief of Staff are the project sponsors which is indicative of the high priority for this project within the Defence Organisation. 

As the project is still on-going and has yet to report to me it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on the matter at this time.