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White Paper on Defence Department of Defence Whitepaper (February 2000 ) Page 1 of 99 Press Release about the White Paper ( February 2000 ) White Paper on Defence February 2000 ( (Note: Captions for photographs are visible if the cursor is allowed to pause on each image, for several seconds) Foreword The publication of this White Paper on Defence marks the implementation of a commitment given in the Government’s Action Programme for the Millennium. As the first-ever White Paper on Defence in Ireland, it emphasises the Government’s view that the end of the century in which we achieved our Independence was an opportune time to take stock and set a forward progressive course to meet the new challenges and opportunities facing Ireland and the Defence Forces. The White Paper sets out the Government’s medium term strategy for defence covering the period up to 2010 based on the evolving national and international security environment. In Article 29.1 of the Constitution, the State "affirms its devotion to the ideal of peace and friendly co-operation amongst nations founded on international justice and morality". Ireland has sought the achievement of this ideal in many ways but especially in its willingness to participate in peacekeeping and humanitarian operations throughout the world. Since 1958, the Defence Forces have been the major component of our contribution. While the Defence Forces exist primarily as an expression of the State’s sovereignty and of its intention to provide its own security, the availability of flexible, well-equipped and well-trained Forces provides the Government with opportunities to contribute to peace support operations abroad in pursuit of foreign policy objectives. The Government’s White Paper strategy provides a new framework for the on-going management and reorganisation of the Defence Forces, comprising the Permanent Defence Force - the Army, the Air Corps, the Naval Service - and the Reserve Defence Force and will ensure that the Defence Forces can continue to participate in peace support missions abroad in the cause of international peace, as well as meet the requirements of the on-island security environment. A major objective is to ensure that Ireland has a world-class military organisation. This objective requires an on-going modernisation process. It also requires a rebalancing of http://137.191.4.65/defence/whitepaper.htm 02/04/01 Department of Defence Whitepaper (February 2000 ) Page 2 of 99 resource allocation within defence to new equipment to enable the Defence Forces to meet the requirements of Government in the changing national and international spheres. It is also important that the Defence Forces continues to offer rewarding and challenging careers. I believe that the decisions set out in the White Paper will provide exciting new possibilities for those concerned. The development of defence in Ireland is more than simply the better management and organisation of the Defence Forces. The White Paper also aims to improve the way different arms of Government integrate to respond to security requirements. I am privileged and honoured to have the responsibility of publishing this White Paper. In doing so I pay tribute on behalf of the Government and the people to those in the Defence community - the Defence Forces, the civil service and civilian staff of the Department of Defence and members of Civil Defence. Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil do ghach uile dhuine as ucht na seirbhíse a thug siad ar son na tíre on am a bunaíodh an Stáit. Michael Smith TD Minister for Defence . Message As Minister of State at the Department of Defence, I am very pleased to be associated with the publication of the first-ever White Paper on Defence. The Government’s Action Programme for the Millennium, for which I have a special co-ordination role, is ambitious and developmental and has brought this country into the 21st century at a level of prosperity which could only be dreamed of by our predecessors. The publication of the White Paper sees the achievement of yet another commitment contained in the Action Programme. It sets out a positive strategy for defence, including Civil Defence, and the Defence Forces for the next decade. It also sees a 25% increase in the funding to be allocated by the Government to the Civil Defence organisation for training and equipment and gives a commitment to maintain the increased level of funding for future years. http://137.191.4.65/defence/whitepaper.htm 02/04/01 Department of Defence Whitepaper (February 2000 ) Page 3 of 99 The White Paper sets out a programme for the on-going development of Civil Defence which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The organisation will continue to be developed as a top-class provider of second line emergency services through the local authority structure. The organisation provides a unique opportunity for people to give voluntary service within their own communities. There are some 6,000 volunteers throughout the country who give so freely and selflessly of their time and commitment. The Minister of State at the Department of Defence traditionally has responsibility for Civil Defence and I am extremely proud of my involvement. I propose to bring forward a new Civil Defence Bill which will be published in the Autumn of this year. This Bill will update and improve existing legislation in relation to Civil Defence and steer the organisation into this new millennium. I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the Government to express my appreciation of the work and dedication of our Civil Defence volunteers, Civil Defence Officers, Assistant Civil Defence Officers and staff of the Department. Seamus Brennan TD Minister of State Contents Page Summary 1 Introduction 2 Defence and Security Environment Assessment Defence Policy and Programmes 3 - Roles of the Defence Forces 4 Defence Forces Organisation and Development: 2000 - 2010 5 Reserve Defence Force 6 Overseas Peace Support Operations 7 Civil Defence 8 Defence Management 9 Finance and Budgeting http://137.191.4.65/defence/whitepaper.htm 02/04/01 Department of Defence Whitepaper (February 2000 ) Page 4 of 99 Acronyms used in the White Paper Appendices A Position Paper - White Paper on Defence - August 1998 B List of Organisations which made submissions C Overview of Hearing Loss Litigation Issue D Defence Forces Infrastructure - Major Projects E Defence Forces Equipment Programme - Major Items over £1m . Summary . 1. The White Paper sets out the policy on Defence for the next decade with a view to ensuring an appropriate level of defence capability having regard to the changing defence and security environment both at home and abroad. 2. Chapter 1 sets out the overall context within which the White Paper has been prepared. The White Paper provides for the restructuring and reorganisation of defence within the existing broad level of resources to ensure that the State has the Defence Forces that it needs. This builds on the progress already achieved since 1996 under the existing reform programme to develop sustainable and affordable Defence Forces for the long term. 3. The key goals of the White Paper development programme are: To provide a light infantry based force with an appropriate level of all- arms capability. To provide sufficient forces and capabilities to meet needs at home and to make a significant contribution abroad. To put in place a more cohesive and better equipped force than exists at http://137.191.4.65/defence/whitepaper.htm 02/04/01 Department of Defence Whitepaper (February 2000 ) Page 5 of 99 present. To provide significant additional resources for equipment and infrastructure broadly within the existing level of financial allocation. 4. These goals require the creation of a balanced and flexible military organisation which has sufficient depth in terms of personnel, doctrine, training, organisation and equipment to meet expected future needs. The current organisation provides a strong starting point but a process of continuous change will be needed to ensure that the State has effective and efficient defence capabilities relevant to its needs. This poses a demanding management challenge. However, the Defence Forces have shown in the past that they have the "can-do" approach to meet this challenge. 5. Chapter 2 describes the defence and security environment. At the international level, significant changes have taken place since the end of the Cold War giving rise to new challenges. These changes are accompanied by developments at the institutional and political levels. The EU response to the new environment includes provision for Petersberg Tasks in the Treaty of Amsterdam. In the home context, the progress under the Good Friday Agreement and subsequent political developments, continue to offer firm hope for a lasting peace. 6. Chapter 3 describes defence policy. There will be a continuing need to ensure that Ireland has conventionally organised Defence Forces capable of operating alongside military forces from other countries in a peace support role and of responding to the uncertainties and challenges of the changing environment. For the present, prudence dictates an on-going requirement for the Defence Forces to support the Garda Síochána, in particular providing support in response to potential actions of dissident groups. The roles of the Defence Forces laid down by the Government are reviewed and provision is made for ensuring that the defence and security environment assessment is updated on a regular basis. 7. Chapter 4 sets out major new plans for the development of sustainable and affordable Defence Forces to ensure that they are capable of meeting the challenges of the emerging defence and security environment and to fulfil the roles laid down by the Government. This will involve the provision of a Permanent Defence Force of 10,500 personnel, plus the option of 250 recruits in training and the conversion of about £20m resources from the pay to non-pay areas.
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