Michael Bell
Question:86 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Defence the progress made to date with regard to the implementation of the provisions of the White Paper on Defence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17475/00]
Written Answers. - White Paper on Defence.
My overall objective as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the country has the Defence Forces that it needs and that the Defence Forces continue to be an organisation in which people are proud to serve. That, too, is the overall objective of the White Paper and I assure the House that implementation is moving ahead quickly and positively. The most important elements of the implementation process concerns the organisation and resourcing of the Defence Forces.
In accordance with paragraph 4.3.17 of the White Paper, and as the House will be aware, I directed the Chief of Staff to draw up a draft implementation plan for my consideration and approval which will give effect to the organisational elements of the White Paper. I advised the Chief of Staff that I considered it important that the draft plan adopt a long-term view of Permanent Defence Force organisation to reflect the ten year timeframe of the White Paper. The new organisation as set out in the White Paper will be based upon an overall PDF manpower which will not exceed 10,500 with the option of an additional 250 recruits in training.
The proposed plan should also provide for the maintenance of existing barracks and should be broadly consistent with the proposals on the reorganisation of the Reserve Defence Force set out in chapter 5 of the White Paper.
In accordance with the ten year time frame for the White Paper, the draft plan will address the broad goals set out in paragraph 4.3.19 of the White Paper, namely, to provide a light infantry based force with an appropriate level of all-arms capability; to provide sufficient forces and capabilities to meet needs at home and to make a sig nificant contribution abroad; to put in place a more cohesive and better equipped force than exists at present, and to provide significant additional resources for equipment and infrastructure broadly within the existing level of financial allocation.
An important element of the White Paper is the reallocation of resources to improved equipment and infrastructure. I have already announced decisions in relation to major new equipment programmes which are a key element of White Paper implementation.
Air Corps capabilities will be augmented through a special £55 million investment programme over the next three years, with the procurement of new helicopters being given special priority.
The Naval Service vessel replacement programme has already commenced with the planned acquisition of a second new state of the art offshore patrol vessel similar to theLE Roísín at a cost of some £20 million.
In addition, I announced a multi-million pound investment programme for the Army, worth an estimated £25 million over the next three years. The package includes the purchase of light infantry tactical vehicles, modern effective anti-armour weapons, night vision equipment, engineer equipment and medical field equipment. This equipment will be of considerable benefit to the Army in carrying out its roles at home and overseas.
This means that I have announced investment in new equipment totalling at least £100 million over the next three years, in addition to the £40 million already set aside for the purchase of 40 armoured personnel carriers. Investment of this scale confirms that the White Paper represents a serious response by the Government to develop the Defence Forces into a world-class military organisation.