John V. Farrelly
Ceist:57 Farrelly asked the Minister for Defence the progress, if any, which has been made in the White Paper on Defence. [23077/97]
Written Answers. - White Paper on Defence.
Work on the White Paper on Defence in the Department of Defence is progressing. However this is preliminary work only and is directed at planning the process and identifying the issues to be addressed within the White Paper on Defence.
I expect full completion of the process to take some 12 to 18 months. As the Deputy will appreciate this is the first such White Paper on Defence in the history of the State and I am anxious to ensure that this necessary planning work is carried out as carefully as possible. That work is principally concerned with ensuring that all of the relevant issues are identified, and that appropriate communications and consultation is provided for.
Meanwhile, implementation of the Defence Force review implementation plan covering the first phase of the reorganisation process in the Defence Forces for a more effective and efficient Defence Forces is proceeding. In addition, ongoing consultation with the Defence Forces representative associations is taking place in the normal way on all issues of concern to them.