Question:
69 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Defence when the White Paper on Defence will be published. [20545/99]
Written Answers. - White Paper on Defence.
Michael Bell
Question:94 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Defence when the White Paper on Defence will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20437/99]
Frances Fitzgerald
Question:138 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence when the White Paper on Defence will be published. [20523/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 69, 94 and 138 together.
The timetable for the White Paper will depend on the completion of the necessary consultative and planning work. Subject to the satisfactory completion of this work, I plan to bring my policy proposals to Government later this year. Once these proposals have been agreed by the Government, my intention is to publish the White Paper as quickly as possible.
This will be the first ever White Paper on Defence. It will provide a framework for the evolution of national defence policy and the continuing reorganisation process in the Defence Forces. Overall, the White Paper presents a positive opportunity to map out a strategy for the development of the Defence Forces and Civil Defence over the next ten years.
As I have said before, the objectives of the White Paper are to provide a medium term policy framework within which Defence policy can evolve; to set out a clear strategy for the next ten years; to provide for the continuation of the reform program of Defence services already commenced under the Defence Forces review implementation plan, consistent with the national and international security environment and the state of the public finances; to ensure that the management of defence services is in accordance with the evolution of the strategic management initiative centrally; and to set out the basis for the future development of Civil Defence policy and the follow-up to the present Towards 2000 strategy.