Liam Burke
Question:28 Mr. L. Burke asked the Minister for Defence the reasons for the long delay in publishing the Price Waterhouse report; and the status of the report. [12952/98]
Written Answers. - Defence Forces Review.
Ivan Yates
Question:29 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Defence the reasons for the long delay in publishing the Price Waterhouse report; and the status of the report. [12949/98]
Richard Bruton
Question:48 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Defence the reasons for the long delay in publishing the Price Waterhouse report; and the status of the report. [12951/98]
Richard Bruton
Question:70 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Defence the reasons for the long delay in publishing the Price Waterhouse report; and the status of the report. [12950/98]
Frances Fitzgerald
Question:113 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the reasons for the delay in publishing the Price Waterhouse report; and the status of the report. [13171/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 28, 29, 48, 70 and 113 together.
The Defence Forces Review Implementation Plan, 1996-98 provided for special studies to be carried out of the Air Corps and the Naval Service. In July 1996, the efficiency audit group engaged Price Waterhouse Management Consultants to conduct a review of the Air Corps and the Naval Service. The consultants subsequently furnished a preliminary draft report to the efficiency audit group. This draft report highlighted issues which required to be studied in greater detail and identified a number of new issues which required examination.
As a consequence, rather than publishing a report that merely identified problems, it was decided that the consultants should examine these problems further in order to produce a report that was as comprehensive as possible and which could serve as the blueprint for the development of these important services in the years ahead.
The consultants completed their review earlier this year and they submitted their final report to the efficiency audit group in February 1998. The report has been considered by the steering group overseeing the review and it will be submitted to Government in about two weeks.
I am committed to publishing this report immediately after it has been submitted to Government for consideration.
Theresa Ahearn
Question:31 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Defence the rate of progress of the implementation plan in the Defence Forces; when he will introduce the appropriate legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12933/98]
Theresa Ahearn
Question:56 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Defence the rate of progress of the implementation plan in the Defence Forces; when he will introduce the appropriate legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12932/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 56 together.
The Defence Forces Review Implementation Plan, 1996-98 was adopted by Government in February 1996. The reorganisation process is ongoing and the first phase of the implementation plan should be completed by the end of 1998.
The implementation of the plan requires some amendment to the Defence Act, 1954, and the Government recently approved the heads of a Bill in this regard. The legislation to give effect to these amendments will be brought before this House later this year.