Willie Penrose
Question:368 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Defence the number of times the Council of Defence has been convened for each of the years from 1995 to date in 1998; and the outcome of such meetings. [1321/98]
Written Answers. - Council of Defence Meetings.
The Council of Defence is provided for under section 11, Defence Act, 1954. The purpose of the council, which consists of the Minister of State at the Department of Defence, the Secretary General of the Department, and the Chief of Staff, Adjutant-General and Quartermaster-General, is to aid and counsel the Minister for Defence.
While the council has not been formally convened in the period referred to, successive Ministers for Defence have of course met with the council members, individually and collectively, as part of on-going administration, management and decision-making in relation to Defence matters.