#DefenceWhitePaper – A Symposium on the White Paper on Defence was hosted by Minister for Defence Mr. Simon Coveney, T.D. today in Farmleigh House, Dublin.

A new White Paper on Defence is being prepared and the symposium was part of the concluding phase of that process. The symposium facilitated an open policy debate, as envisaged under the Civil Service Renewal Plan, and drew a wide range of national and international policy experts and practitioners.

The Minister said "Defence is an issue which generally receives very little debate or discussion in Ireland". He noted that the publication of a Green Paper on Defence in July 2013 had been a welcome development in this regard. However, while there has been a significant degree of consultation in the preparation of a new White Paper on Defence, the Minister noted that "the views of individuals and organisations, although valuable, do not constitute debate."

For this reason, the Minister arranged for a symposium "to provide an opportunity to hear alternative views, to learn from the experience of others and to debate the merits of differing courses of action". The Minister also highlighted the need for Defence to "clearly articulate the rationale underpinning expenditure and funding requirements".

The Minister was very pleased at the number of participants that were able to attend the event. The participants came from national and international organisations and represented a broad range of interests. While not expecting to produce a consensus of views on the day, the Minister hoped that "all concerned would be better informed of the challenges and have been able to contribute to the choices that lay ahead"

In July 2015, the Minister intends bringing a draft White Paper on Defence to Government.