Vol. 494 No. 3
74 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline the number of steering groups, review groups or other such bodies currently at work on Defence Forces policy; the topics that these groups are working on; when these groups are due to report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18089/98]
The steering groups, review groups and other bodies which are currently examining various aspects of defence policy are as follows: The White Paper on Defence. As part of the White Paper preparation process, an inter-departmental group has been set up to consider the defence and security environment. This group comprises representatives from the civil and military branches of my Department, and the Department of Foreign Affairs, Finance, Justice, Equality and Law Reform and from the Garda Síochána. For security reasons the detailed work of the group cannot be published, however, the results of this study will form an input to the White Paper process. I propose to bring the White Paper to Government by summer l999.
Following the recent Government decision on the reviews of the Air Corps and the Naval Service, it was agreed that a consultation group should be established to provide a forum for the input of the key stakeholders in relation to the State air and sea services.
There are two broad dimensions to the required planning work. The first of these relates to the strategic issues to be covered within the White Paper on defence, the second dimension relates to effectiveness and efficiency measures recommended by Price Waterhouse Management Consultants. The consultation group, which I will chair, will comprise representatives from the civil and military branches of my Department, from the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources, the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Finance. It will have its first meeting in the near future.
The steering group for the study of the Reserve: This group was set up to oversee and direct the work of a military board which was reviewing the Reserve Defence Forces. It is due to report to me early in 1999.
