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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 28 Mar 2000

Vol. 516 No. 6

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Review.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

108 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Defence his arrangements for meetings with the officers commanding the Defence Forces; the number of times he has met them on a formal basis in 2000; if he envisages any changes to the management structure in his Department to ensure better co-operation between the military and civil managements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8861/00]

Frances Fitzgerald

Ceist:

204 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence his arrangements for meetings with the officers commanding the Defence Forces; the number of times he has met them in 2000 on a formal basis; if he envisages any changes to the management structure in his Department to ensure better co-operation between the military and civil managements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8984/00]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 108 and 204 together.

Bilateral meetings between myself, the Chief of Staff and other senior officers are a frequent and commonplace feature of the normal business of the Department of Defence. No particular formalities are associated with such meetings which take place as and when required on a regular basis. It has been decided, in the context of the White Paper on Defence, that the Defence Forces Strategic Management Committee, whose membership comprises the Chief of Staff, the two deputy chiefs of staff and the two assistant secretaries in my Department, and is chaired by the Secretary General of my Department, will have its role enhanced through a greater emphasis on strategic planning and on policy formulation and review. It is envisaged that the SMC will meet on a monthly basis. To enhance the many formal and informal processes already in place to provide me with advice from civil and military sources, I will chair quarterly meetings of the SMC. There is scope to develop sub-SMC level civil-military structures. 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 will have the best possible advice available to me. It has also been decided in the context of the White Paper to create, in the civil side of my Department, a new corporate services division which will bring together all of the Department's management support activities. The objective will be to achieve a more integrated approach to the organisation and development of the Department and to achieve a more holistic approach to policy development, performance management, procurement and value for money.
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