Theresa Ahearn
Question:50 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Defence when the Council of Defence has met; the current members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12669/99]
Written Answers. - Council of Defence.
Frances Fitzgerald
Question:71 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence when the Council of Defence has met; the current members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13345/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 71 together.
The Council of Defence is provided for under section 11 of the Defence Act, 1954. The purpose of the council is to provide advice to the Minister for Defence.
The council is chaired by the Minister for Defence and the members of the council are the Minister of State at the Department of Defence, the Secretary General of the Department, and the chief of staff, the deputy chief of staff, operations and the deputy chief of staff, support.
It has not been necessary to formally convene the council since 1987. Members of the council meet very regularly, individually and jointly. The practice has been for successive Ministers of Defence to meet with council members in this way as part of ongoing administration, management and decision-making in relation to Defence matters.