Richard Bruton
Question:50 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Defence when the White Paper on Defence will be published. [26306/99]
Written Answers. - White Paper on Defence.
Olivia Mitchell
Question:80 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Defence the ongoing discussions, if any, between his Department and the Department of Finance in relation to total staff in the Defence Forces; his views in this regard; his views on the PricewaterhouseCoopers recommendations in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26265/99]
Breeda Moynihan-Cronin
Question:99 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Defence when the White Paper on Defence will be published; if his attention has been drawn to the serious concern created among members of the Defence Forces that proposals to shed up to 3,000 positions were holding up the publication of the White Paper; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26175/99]
Frances Fitzgerald
Question:105 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence his views on the future total numbers of personnel in the Defence Forces; his further views on the PricewaterhouseCoopers recommendations in this regard; the numbers envisaged in the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps in each of the years 2000 to 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26442/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 50, 80, 99 and 105 together.
The White Paper on Defence will be completed by year end and I intend to bring forward my proposals immediately for consideration and approval by the Government. Those proposals will address all aspects of the development of the Defence Forces, including the overall defence policy framework, manpower, organisation, equipment and resourcing generally. It would be premature for me to comment on any one aspect of the White Paper in advance of a draft being considered by the Government.
In that regard, all of the key stakeholders have had an opportunity to make an input to the White Paper. The Department of Finance is one of those stakeholders and, as part of the White Paper process, contact has been made with that Department to allow it to amplify its views in anticipation of a draft White Paper being considered by the Government. Allowing for the normal consultative process at Government level and printing of the final text, I would see the White Paper being published in the first weeks of the new year.
Significant new challenges are facing the Defence Forces and the White Paper will ensure that the Defence Forces are developed to face these challenges.