Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 December 2011
75 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 10 of 21 September 2011, the further progress that has been made by him on the proposed Green Paper on Defence; when he expects to publish same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38674/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe first White Paper on Defence was intended to encompass the period to end 2010. Having considered the preliminary work undertaken on the preparation of a new White Paper, I decided in September 2011 to expand the planned consultative process by initiating the preparation of a Green Paper on Defence. The intention is that this will act as a catalyst to ensure an appropriate level of debate on Defence. The priority in my Department in recent months has been the completion of the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure in Defence. Arising from the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure I have announced a re-organisation of the Defence Forces including the movement from three to two brigades. Obviously, these tasks have drawn from the resources in the Department targeted to work on the development of the Green Paper.
The outcome of the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure and budget 2012 have provided a necessary degree of clarity in respect of the resources that will be available to Defence in the short to medium term.
This will frame the policy options available and inform the Green Paper consultative process, which I expect to be launched in the first quarter of 2012.
