Theresa Ahearn
Question:114 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Defence the future of the Council of Defence; and the plans, if any, he has to develop its role. [8853/00]
Written Answers. - Council of Defence.
Frances Fitzgerald
Question:201 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the future of the Council of Defence; and the plans, if any, he has to develop its role. [8981/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 201 together.
I am glad to have an opportunity to clarify the role and purpose of the Council of Defence which is provided for in section 11 of the Defence Act, 1954. It has been decided to retain the Council of Defence, pending the enactment of legislation which is not currently contemplated. The council consists of the Minister of State, the Secretary General of the Department, the Chief of Staff and the two deputy chiefs of staff.
The purpose of the council under the Act is to aid and counsel the Minister on all matters in relation to the Department of Defence on which the Minister may consult the council. It is evident from recent media comments that considerable confusion exists regarding the role of the council and there seems to be a profoundly mistaken view that the council has an active role in Defence management. The council's origins lie in a requirement in the early years of the State to enshrine the civil-military management process in a formalised way. However, in modern times, senior civil and military staff meet on a regular basis, individually and jointly, as part of normal business.
It is a matter for the Minister to decide if he needs to utilise the Council of Defence to obtain advice. Ministers for Defence have decided to arrange meetings of the council in this way only twice in the past 25 years, with the last meeting being arranged some 13 years ago in 1987. Ministers have instead sought advice from departmental staff, civil and military, on a daily basis without the formality of the Council of Defence.
Interaction at the strategic level has been augmented in recent years by the introduction of the Defence Forces Strategic Management Committee (SMC). The SMC provides an important forum for the discussion of major policy issues. The committee is chaired by the Secretary General of the Department and the membership comprises the Chief of Staff, the two Deputy Chiefs of Staff and the two Assistant Secretaries of the Department. The General Officer Commanding the Air Corps and the flag officer commanding the Naval Service attend in respect of items affecting their services.
To further develop this strategic process, the White Paper on Defence indicates my intention to chair quarterly meetings of the SMC. A more proactive role for the SMC will help to maintain a shared understanding of the policy objectives facing the Defence organisation with a view to ensuring that I and future Ministers for Defence have the best possible advice available.