asked the Minister for Defence if it is intended to publish the findings of the Defence Review Committee in their review of the Defence Forces, to allow a public debate on it; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
17.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Defence Policy Review.
14.
asked the Minister for Defence when it is proposed to introduce an interim report on the workings of the committee on review of defence policy; the names of members of the committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
22.
asked the Minister for Defence the number of submissions which have been received by the Defence Review Committee to date, and if it is intended to publish some or all of the findings or submissions.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 14, 17 and 22 together. I refer the Deputies to the statement on this subject made in reply to Parliamentary Question No. 21 on 2 December 1987. At this stage it is not proposed to add to what was stated on that occasion beyond saying that an interim report is not visualised and that, because of the security implications, publication of the report as such is not envisaged.
Submissions were not specifically invited but a small number of submissions has, in fact, been received. The review has received a fair share of publicity and it has been clearly indicated that outside groups or individuals are free to make submissions which would be taken into account in the review process. Each will be treated as confidential and will not be published by the Department.
As the review body is being set up, I would ask what are its terms of reference and do they include operation of procurement policy, personnel policy and administration policy? As the morale in the Defence Forces is very low at this time, would the Minister agree that it would be important to expedite the findings of this review, and can he say if there will be a White Paper on the matter?
In regard to the terms of reference of the review body, it would be inappropriate, because of security implications, to publish such details or the names of the people involved in the review. It is an internal review and the Minister has already stated here in the Dáil the position in regard to the review. There is nothing further to add to what the Minister has already said.
Would the Minister give a more positive reply to my question? Is it intended to put forward a White Paper on defence policy?
The Deputy has already asked that question.
That is a separate issue and it is not a matter I could reply to here. The Minister has already replied to a number of questions quite recently on this issue and I have nothing further to add at this stage.
Arising from the Minister's reply to a question of mine a few months ago, I understood that the Minister for Defence said that the review committee's report was likely to be completed by the end of 1988. If one is to judge by the Minister's reply here this afternoon, it appears to be an on going thing. Is there any degree of finality about it? While I certainly would not agree that it should not be published, at least the Minister could let us know when it is decided to complete the review as such. That is important.
I have nothing further to add to what I have already said about this issue. This is an internal departmental review which has already been dealt with by the Minister here. Because of security, submissions and actions in regard to the review committee will be treated as confidential.
There is a great veil of secrecy over the whole thing that is unnecessary.