Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2012
521 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Defence when he will initiate the Green Paper process for the Defence Forces and which is necessitated prior to publishing the second White Paper on defence which is due since 2010; the timescale that is now envisaged for these processes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28341/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe White Paper on Defence, published in February, 2000, provides the current Defence policy framework. As part of the process leading to the development of a new White Paper, I decided to expand the public consultative process by initiating a Green Paper on Defence. On publication, the purpose of the Green Paper will be to elicit an appropriate level of debate on Defence which will better inform the development of the new White Paper on Defence. Work is underway in this regard. A Memorandum for Government setting out the proposed approach and timeframe was circulated to cabinet colleagues and subsequently approved by Government. The Green Paper on Defence will be published at the end of 2012. Members of the public and other interested parties, including representative associations, will then be given their opportunity to submit their views on Defence policy and Defence provision. A new White Paper on Defence will be prepared and published by end 2013.
