Peadar Clohessy
Question:3 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Defence if he intends publishing the recommendations of the Efficiency Audit Group.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Defence Force Review.
Proinsias De Rossa
Question:7 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Defence the terms of the changes in the formal objectives of the Defence Forces agreed at the Cabinet meeting of 21 September 1993; if the Defence Forces will now have a permanent role in policing in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Proinsias De Rossa
Question:8 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Defence if he will consider the publication of a White Paper on the future of the Defence Forces, as sought by RACO; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Peadar Clohessy
Question:12 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Defence if, in view of the doubt outlined in the Gleeson report regarding the Defence Forces' ability to reform from within, he has considered putting structures in place to implement the Efficiency Audit Group recommendations; and if so, if he will make a statement on any such plans and structures.
Seán Barrett
Question:15 Mr. Barrett asked the Minister for Defence when the report of the Efficiency Audit Group on the review of the Defence Forces structures and systems based on the revised statement of roles will be published.
Liz McManus
Question:17 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Defence if the Government has appointed, or intends to appoint, a team of independent management consultants to examine the role of the Defence Forces; if so, the firm appointed; its terms of reference; the likely cost of the consultancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Seán Barrett
Question:76 Mr. Barrett asked the Minister for Defence when the report of the Efficiency Audit Group on the review of the Defence Forces structures and systems based on the revised statement of roles will be published.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 3, 7, 8, 12, 15, 17 and 76 together.
The revised statement of roles of the Defence Forces was approved by Government on 21 September 1993 and is as follows: (a) to defend the State against armed aggression; this being a contingency, preparations for its implementation will depend on an ongoing Government assessment of threats; (b) to aid the civil power — meaning in practice to assist, when requested, the Garda Síochána, which has the primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State; (c) to participate in United Nations missions in the cause of international peace; (d) to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Community; and (e) to carry out such other duties as may be assigned to them from time to time, for example, search and rescue, air ambulance service, ministerial air transport service, assistance on the occasion of natural or other disasters, assistance in connection with the maintenance of essential services, dealing with oil pollution at sea.
The role of the Defence Forces in aid to the civil power has not changed; as is made clear in the revised statement of roles; the Garda Síochána has the primary responsibility for law and order.
Management consultants have been employed to assist in the current review of the Defence Forces organisation undertaken by the Efficiency Audit Group on the basis of the revised statement of roles. Publication of a White Paper is not envisaged; it would be inappropriate to do so having regard to the fundamental review being undertaken by the Efficiency Audit Group. I am satisfied that there are structures in place to implement recommendations of the EAG. The review will, of necessity, cover issues which have major security implications. Accordingly, it may not be appropriate to publish the entire report of the EAG when it is received. However, the Government will seek to make as much information as possible available to the House.
I thank the Minister for his reply. In view of the scepticism displayed in the Gleeson report on the inability of the Defence Forces to reform from within, would the Minister consider putting in place structures on the implementation of the Efficiency Audit Group recommendations?
I do not share the scepticism in the Gleeson report. The Efficiency Audit Group undertook two other reviews in the defence area, one of which dealt specifically with the military aspect. The recommendations in that regard are being implemented and no problems have been encountered in that respect. I do not anticipate any problems as outlined in the Gleeson report.
Let us come to deal with Question No. 4.
On a point of order, does the new order in regard to Priority Questions not allow me to speak now?
It applies to the last question; the Deputy's question is safeguarded.