Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 1 Feb 2000

Vol. 513 No. 3

Adjournment Debate. - White Paper on Defence.

Mr. Wall

I know and understand the politics of leaking information which has been part and parcel of this Government since its inception. However, the latest leak by the Department of Defence which has sole responsibility for the White Paper goes beyond what is acceptable.

When Opposition parties seek information from a Department it is common courtesy to ensure such information is made available. I asked for the date of the publication of the White Paper on defence the last time the Minister for Defence answered questions in the House. I was told it would be available later in the year. The same answer was given by the Taoiseach to Deputy John Bruton in the past few weeks. I found it insulting, degrading and I considered it bad manners by the Minister and his Department when I read in a recent edition of the Irish Independent that a reporter had been given two copies of the proposals. Opposition spokespersons could only get a reply of “later in the year”. Neither did the representative bodies receive copies – the Minister and his Department appear to feel that such an action would not be worthwhile. Morale in the Defence Forces does not matter. The members of the Defence Forces are only soldiers, or perhaps they are merely numbers. The Department of Defence has behaved disgracefully. Leak after leak has occurred prompting one soldier to remark that there cannot be a plumber in the Minister's office.

Will the Minister supply the House with answers? Who gave the two copies of the White Paper to the Irish Independent? What action has been taken to prevent a recurrence of such an act? When will the Opposition spokespersons and the representative associations be afforded the same courtesy as a newspaper reporter? Will there be an internal investigation into the events leading to this leak?

The Department has responsibility for the Defence Forces. This means that every aspect of the Defence Forces must be dealt with. On many occasions I have spoken about morale in the three sections which make up the forces. Morale has again been damaged by this latest episode. In the last few days the Army, the Navy and the Air Corps have seen unprecedented statements being made by the relevant sections of each sector. All sectors are complaining, although that term may be too mild to describe the feelings evoked by the Department's action. Members of the Defence Forces have families and commitments and feel they have a future in the Defence Forces. In many cases their plans have been put in jeopardy by the cold hand of an uncaring Department.

What value would the Department gain from this action? Why can the Department not deal properly with the representative bodies and with Opposition spokespersons who have always been agreeable and forthcoming in assisting the Department with any changes the Minister requested. I am disappointed this has happened and I ask him to clear the air of depression that has descended on the Defence Forces in the last few weeks, to ensure that an investigation is held to clear up the mess created by ignoring standard procedures and to allow everyone concerned with the White Paper to examine it properly, either in discussions between his Department and the representative bodies, RACO and PDFORRA in a formal setting, or with the Opposition spokespersons in the House.

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

I thank Deputy Wall for raising this important matter. I deplore the wholly unauthorised release of the draft of the White Paper on defence to a newspaper. It is a distasteful occurrence which can only have an adverse effects on the conduct of a complex and sensitive dialogue between the key stakeholders. If the intention of those who released this draft into the public arena was to put me under pressure, let me assure them that I am made of stronger stuff and I have no intention of being diverted or subverted from what I believe to be the correct way to proceed.

The White Paper on defence is concerned with the Government's policy and approach to defence and the Minister and the Government must be free to make decisions in these areas without being pre-empted by those whose task it will be to implement those decisions and policies.

I understand that the military authorities have initiated an investigation into the circumstances in which confidential material relating to the White Paper was supplied to a number of newspapers and I await the findings of this inquiry with interest.

The White Paper presents a positive opportunity to map out a strategy for the development of the Defence Forces and Civil Defence over the next ten years. The overall objectives of the White Paper as published at the commencement of the consultative process are as follows: to provide a medium term policy framework within which defence policy can evolve to set out a clear strategy for the next ten years; to provide for the continuation of the reform programme of defence services, already commenced under the Defence Forces review implementation plan, consistent with the national and international security environment and the state of the public finances; to ensure that the management of defence services is in accordance with the evolution of the strategic management initiative centrally, and to set out the basis for the future development of Civil Defence policy and the follow-up to the present Towards 2000 strategy.

It would be entirely wrong to construe these objectives as meaning something other than what they say, namely that the White Paper process offers a comprehensive and positive opportunity for the development of defence. Furthermore, as I have indicated many times, real positive changes continue to be made in the Defence Forces – new equipment, better infrastructure, closure of barracks, regular recruitment, improved overseas allowances and improved and more streamlined organisation structures.

In recent years considerable sums have been expended under the defence Vote for new equipment and in providing new and upgraded living and operational accommodation for the Defence Forces. I intend to continue, and expand where possible, the modernisation programme to ensure that the Defence Forces are equipped to the highest standards appropriate to their roles.

I emphasise the importance I have placed on the consultation element of the process. I was aware that a topic of such fundamental importance as defence should be the subject of widespread consultation. I was also keenly conscious of the need for balance to be maintained between consultation on the one hand and my duty as Minister in relation to the formation of defence policy on the other.

In August 1998 a notice was inserted in the national press inviting interested individuals and organisations to make submissions to my Department. Over the following six months or so a total of 46 submissions were received from a wide range of individuals, groups and organisations and following examination of these, invitations were extended to a number of individuals or groups where it was felt that further contact would be useful. My concern was to ensure that all of those who wished to make an input to the White Paper process should be facilitated in doing so. In that regard, the key stakeholders, including the Departments of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Foreign Affairs and the military authorities have had an opportunity to make their input to the White Paper. Throughout the drafting process the military authorities have also been able to make their input in a number of different ways. I cannot accept the claim that the Defence Forces were not given a sufficient input to the design of the White Paper, for this is tantamount to accusing me of not performing my job as Minister.

The White Paper on defence will be completed very shortly and I intend to bring forward my proposals immediately for consideration and approval by Government. These proposals will address all aspects of the development of the Defence Forces including the overall defence policy framework, manpower, organisation, equipment and resourcing generally. As with all Government publications, the White Paper will be widely promulgated.

I assure the House that consultations on the White Paper will take place with the Defence Forces representative associations in accordance with the normal system of representation.