I propose to take Questions Nos. 35, 45 and 61 together.
The Defence Forces Review — Implementation Plan, 1996-1998 provided for special studies to be carried out on the Air Corps and the Naval Service.
In July 1996, the efficiency audit group engaged Price Waterhouse Management Consultants to conduct the special studies into the Air Corps and the Naval Service. The consultants subsequently furnished a preliminary draft report to the EAG. Amongst other things the draft report highlighted those issues which required to be studied in greater detail and identified a number of new issues which required examination.
As a consequence, and rather than publishing a report which identified problems requiring further attention it was decided that the consultants should be asked to address these problems in their report. In this way, the study will be as comprehensive and well grounded as possible, and the resulting report will produce a definitive blueprint for the development of these services in the years ahead.
The consultants are due to report to the Efficiency Audit Group by mid-December 1997. It is my intention to publish this report at the earliest possible juncture.