Vol. 494 No. 3
14 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Defence the measures, if any, he proposes to adopt to ensure comprehensive consultation on the development of the White Paper on Defence, both within the Defence Forces and with the general public; the proposed timetable in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12974/98]
58 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Defence the progress, if any, made in the White Paper on Defence; the timetable in this regard; the procedures and consultations it is intended to use in its preparation; and the progress to date in this regard. [12972/98]
98 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Defence the progress made to date in regard to the promised White Paper on Defence; when it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17820/98]
111 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Defence when the proposed White Paper on Defence will be published; the reasons for the delay in the publication of this document; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18082/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 14, 58, 98 and 111 together The Government considered my proposals for the preparation of the proposed White Paper on Defence in late July.
The Government approved the following objectives for the White Paper: 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 a framework to include the input of the Minister for Foreign Affairs deriving from the overall international security context and the Minister for Justice with regard to the national security environment; to provide for the continuation of the reform programme, already commenced under the Defence Forces Review Implementation Plan, of Defence services especially in relation to the future size, configuration, deployment and resourcing (financial, infrastructural and equipment) of the Defence Forces consistent with the national and international security environment and the state of the public finances; to ensure that the on-going development of the management of Defence services is in accordance with the evolution of the Strategic Management Initiative centrally; and, to provide a medium term programme for the evolution of Civil Defence policy and as a follow-up to the present Towards 2000 Strategy.
There is no delay in the publication of the White Paper. I made it clear from the outset that as this is the first White Paper on Defence, it should be given adequate time. Important decisions in the Defence area are proceeding in relation to, for example, barracks rationalisation, the on-going reorganisation of the Defence Forces under the Defence Forces Review Implementation plan and of course the need to tackle the hearing loss compensation issue.
The necessary work required by the Government's decision on the White Paper is proceeding. This is based on the work of my own Department, civil and military, as well as appropriate inputs from other Ministers, including the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
As this is the first White Paper of its kind, I wish to ensure that all of the issues raised are reflected upon adequately. The timetable for work is provisional but I would see the on-going consultations being undertaken over the coming months with the intention of being in a position to put a draft for consideration by the Government by the summer of next year.
15 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence his views on the recommendation contained in the Price Waterhouse review of the Naval Service and the Air Corps that naval headquarters should be relocated to Haulbowline, County Cork; if so, when this development will occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18077/98]
16 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Defence the number of times the implementation group in relation to the Price Waterhouse report has met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17926/98]
21 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Defence the timetable for the implementation of the Price Waterhouse report. [17931/98]
31 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Defence the number of times the implementation group in relation to the Price Waterhouse report has met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17929/98]
44 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Defence the timetable for the implementation of the Price Waterhouse report. [17930/98]
53 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Defence the number of times the implementation group in relation to the Price Waterhouse report has met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17927/98]
63 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Defence the proposals, if any, he has for the implementation of the Price Waterhouse report; the reason he did not agree with a key recommendation of the report that an independent chairperson should be appointed to oversee implementation of the recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17822/98]
102 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence if the Government is committed to the full implementation the Price Waterhouse review of the Naval Service and the Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18076/98]
106 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Defence the number of times the implementation group in relation to the Price Waterhouse report has met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17928/98]
129 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the terms of reference and timescale for the implementation group appointed following the publication of the Price Waterhouse report on the Naval Service and Air Corps; and his reasons for appointing himself chairman of this group against the recommendations contained in the report. [17875/98]
151 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the terms of reference and timescale for the implementation group appointed following the publication of the Price Waterhouse report on the Naval Service and Air Corps; the reason he appointed himself chairman of this group in view of the recommendations contained in the report. [18100/98]
166 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the number of times the implementation group in relation to the Price Waterhouse report has met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18115/98]
167 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline a timetable for the implementation of the Price Waterhouse report. [18116/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 15, 16, 21, 31, 44, 53, 63, 102, 106, 129, 151, 166 and 167 together.
Having considered the report of Price Waterhouse Management Consultants on the Reviews of the Air Corps and the Naval Service, the Government decided, inter alia, that the future development of both the Air Corps and the Naval Service critically depends on the input of all of the relevant stakeholders. In particular this includes the Minister for Finance and the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources as well as the Department of the Taoiseach, given the cross-departmental nature of the State's air and sea requirements.
As Minister for Defence, I am responsible for the development of the Air Corps and the Naval Service and I will ensure that the civil and military branches of my Department do what the Government requires of them in putting together the necessary plans to give effect to the Government's decision on the recommendations made by Price Waterhouse. This work is now proceeding.
There are two broad dimensions to this work. Firstly, there is the need to address the military capability requirements to be comprehended within the White Paper on Defence which were not dealt with in the consultants' report. Secondly, there is a range of effectiveness and efficiency recommendations for implementation in order to ensure that the taxpayer obtains the best air and sea services possible. It will, in the final analysis, be the task of the General Officer Commanding, Air Corps and the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Service to present plans for my consideration to address all of these matters.
