Address by Alan Shatter TD
Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence
at the Institute of International and European Affairs
“Green Paper on Defence”
26 September 2013
Introduction
Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to address you here today. As most of you will be aware, the first White Paper on Defence was published in 2000 and it continues to provide the defence policy framework some thirteen years later. The Government has decided to produce a new White Paper on Defence and this provides an opportunity to consider the future defence and security environment and to revise our Defence policy accordingly.
I believe that Defence policy is fundamentally important to this State and that we should have a mature discussion about the challenges that we face and debate the policy response required to meet those challenges. In this context, I sought and received Government approval to prepare a Green Paper on Defence, which was published in July 2013.
It is important to recognise also that defence policy does not operate in isolation and instead sits within the broader construct of foreign and security policy as well as the contextual influences of political, social, economic and environmental factors.
The Green Paper provides a comprehensive overview of the current defence policy framework and sets out an assessment of the defence and security environment. It does not aim to be overly prescriptive, rather it seeks to encourage active consideration of defence policy issues and to elicit views as to how we should address domestic, regional and global defence and security challenges. Submissions have been sought as part of a public consultation process and the closing date for such submissions extends to the 10th October 2013.
I would like to take this opportunity to talk about some of the key issues that are set out in the Green Paper and I would be most interested in hearing your views. In this regard, the Institute has kindly agreed to facilitate a discussion at the conclusion of my speech.
Context
Historically, there was a reluctance to formulate an explicit or very specific Defence policy for this State and the publication of a White Paper on Defence in 2000 was in itself a significant landmark achievement.
In looking back, it has proved to be a robust policy framework that contained important decisions which underpinned the development of the Defence Forces into a modern, well-equipped force, with flexible and adaptive capabilities. This has enabled this State to address successfully emergent domestic security and support requirements and to continue to play a full and active role in the maintenance of international peace and security.
Defence and Security Environment
The period since the publication of the White Paper has been marked by significant upheaval and change in the defence and security environment. We have seen the 9/11 attacks in the USA, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the bombings in Bali, London and Madrid. More recently the events in North Africa and the Middle East have shown how the global security situation continues to be unpredictable and unstable.
We have seen how weak and failed States can provide fertile operating grounds for international terrorists and transnational criminal gangs, including those that engage in piracy. The poverty, suffering and inequality that can be found where there is protracted conflict or corrupt regimes, can lead to disaffection and make some more susceptible to the hate filled messages of extremism. However, experience has also shown that those from affluent backgrounds and Western countries can also be seduced by extremist views and become radicalised.
The implications of Global Warming are becoming increasingly apparent and this creates a potential for conflicts linked to competition for scarce or newly accessible resources. Although, the risk of inter-State conflict affecting EU countries has diminished and is assessed as low, elsewhere in the world we have seen that the instability caused by weak, failed or rogue States has the potential to provoke broader conflicts. Territorial disputes can also create tension and flashpoints. Concerns about the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction also remain and recent events in Syria have brought into sharp focus the grim reality and potential risks associated with such weapons.
Globalisation has continued apace and whilst the debate about its pros and cons continues, the fact is that we are now more closely linked and dependent on others than ever before. This has many positive benefits. However, it can lead also to new and diverse risks. We are highly dependent on external trade links and are reliant on the unimpeded movement of goods for our economic well being.
Any disruption of this movement of goods or services is of concern as Irish businesses try to grow exports to new and emerging markets. Our increased reliance on technology, in all facets of our lives and business processes, has also created a potential vulnerability that can be exploited by those who have the means and knowledge to do so. Cyber crime and cyber attacks, both nationally and internationally, have heightened awareness of these vulnerabilities.
At home, the Good Friday Agreement has delivered a stable peace process that commands overwhelming cross community support. However, so called “dissident” republican groups, with very limited levels of support, remain intent on disrupting the progress that has been achieved. We have seen that security risks that were previously associated with subversive paramilitaries are now also associated with criminal gangs.
Current Approach
The nature and complexity of the security challenges in today’s world require responses that are frequently beyond the capacity of even the largest States. Borders and geographical location no longer provide the same degree of protection as they did in the past. There is an increased reliance on collective security co-operation and a need for comprehensive responses. Ireland has long been a strong advocate of the United Nations and the collective approach to security and this is reflected in the current defence policy framework, which enjoys a broad consensus.
The EU has seen significant change in the period since 2000 and Ireland has actively participated in the development of the European Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, including the Common Security and Defence Policy. The approval of the constitutional amendments required to ratify the Nice and Lisbon treaties underpins this participation.
This engagement has served to consolidate and strengthen Ireland’s participation as a whole within the EU and has further underlined our commitment to a comprehensive approach in addressing security challenges.
Flowing from Ireland’s commitment in the UN and EU contexts, and consistent with our policy of military neutrality, the deployment of the Defence Forces on overseas peace support operations continues to provide an active and very tangible demonstration of Ireland’s commitment to supporting the maintenance of international peace and security.
Domestically, our Defence Forces remain a key constituent of the State’s security architecture and continue to deliver a broad range of security and other support services on a day-to-day basis. The Army and Air Corps continue to provide armed support to An Garda Síochána, for example in the transit of cash and in prisoner escorts. The use of improvised explosive devices by criminals within the State requires a major ongoing response from Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal, which continues to increase.
The Naval Service is the State’s principal sea-going agency and continues to undertake a range of security and support tasks including, in conjunction with the Air Corps, surveillance and patrolling of the State’s very significant maritime domain. The Air Corps also undertakes other tasks in support to the civil authority utilising both fixed wing aircraft and helicopters.
Policy Issues
International Collective Security Co-operation
Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence
at the Institute of International and European Affairs
“Green Paper on Defence”
26 September 2013
Introduction
Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to address you here today. As most of you will be aware, the first White Paper on Defence was published in 2000 and it continues to provide the defence policy framework some thirteen years later. The Government has decided to produce a new White Paper on Defence and this provides an opportunity to consider the future defence and security environment and to revise our Defence policy accordingly.
I believe that Defence policy is fundamentally important to this State and that we should have a mature discussion about the challenges that we face and debate the policy response required to meet those challenges. In this context, I sought and received Government approval to prepare a Green Paper on Defence, which was published in July 2013.
It is important to recognise also that defence policy does not operate in isolation and instead sits within the broader construct of foreign and security policy as well as the contextual influences of political, social, economic and environmental factors.
The Green Paper provides a comprehensive overview of the current defence policy framework and sets out an assessment of the defence and security environment. It does not aim to be overly prescriptive, rather it seeks to encourage active consideration of defence policy issues and to elicit views as to how we should address domestic, regional and global defence and security challenges. Submissions have been sought as part of a public consultation process and the closing date for such submissions extends to the 10th October 2013.
I would like to take this opportunity to talk about some of the key issues that are set out in the Green Paper and I would be most interested in hearing your views. In this regard, the Institute has kindly agreed to facilitate a discussion at the conclusion of my speech.
Context
Historically, there was a reluctance to formulate an explicit or very specific Defence policy for this State and the publication of a White Paper on Defence in 2000 was in itself a significant landmark achievement.
In looking back, it has proved to be a robust policy framework that contained important decisions which underpinned the development of the Defence Forces into a modern, well-equipped force, with flexible and adaptive capabilities. This has enabled this State to address successfully emergent domestic security and support requirements and to continue to play a full and active role in the maintenance of international peace and security.
Defence and Security Environment
The period since the publication of the White Paper has been marked by significant upheaval and change in the defence and security environment. We have seen the 9/11 attacks in the USA, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the bombings in Bali, London and Madrid. More recently the events in North Africa and the Middle East have shown how the global security situation continues to be unpredictable and unstable.
We have seen how weak and failed States can provide fertile operating grounds for international terrorists and transnational criminal gangs, including those that engage in piracy. The poverty, suffering and inequality that can be found where there is protracted conflict or corrupt regimes, can lead to disaffection and make some more susceptible to the hate filled messages of extremism. However, experience has also shown that those from affluent backgrounds and Western countries can also be seduced by extremist views and become radicalised.
The implications of Global Warming are becoming increasingly apparent and this creates a potential for conflicts linked to competition for scarce or newly accessible resources. Although, the risk of inter-State conflict affecting EU countries has diminished and is assessed as low, elsewhere in the world we have seen that the instability caused by weak, failed or rogue States has the potential to provoke broader conflicts. Territorial disputes can also create tension and flashpoints. Concerns about the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction also remain and recent events in Syria have brought into sharp focus the grim reality and potential risks associated with such weapons.
Globalisation has continued apace and whilst the debate about its pros and cons continues, the fact is that we are now more closely linked and dependent on others than ever before. This has many positive benefits. However, it can lead also to new and diverse risks. We are highly dependent on external trade links and are reliant on the unimpeded movement of goods for our economic well being.
Any disruption of this movement of goods or services is of concern as Irish businesses try to grow exports to new and emerging markets. Our increased reliance on technology, in all facets of our lives and business processes, has also created a potential vulnerability that can be exploited by those who have the means and knowledge to do so. Cyber crime and cyber attacks, both nationally and internationally, have heightened awareness of these vulnerabilities.
At home, the Good Friday Agreement has delivered a stable peace process that commands overwhelming cross community support. However, so called “dissident” republican groups, with very limited levels of support, remain intent on disrupting the progress that has been achieved. We have seen that security risks that were previously associated with subversive paramilitaries are now also associated with criminal gangs.
Current Approach
The nature and complexity of the security challenges in today’s world require responses that are frequently beyond the capacity of even the largest States. Borders and geographical location no longer provide the same degree of protection as they did in the past. There is an increased reliance on collective security co-operation and a need for comprehensive responses. Ireland has long been a strong advocate of the United Nations and the collective approach to security and this is reflected in the current defence policy framework, which enjoys a broad consensus.
The EU has seen significant change in the period since 2000 and Ireland has actively participated in the development of the European Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, including the Common Security and Defence Policy. The approval of the constitutional amendments required to ratify the Nice and Lisbon treaties underpins this participation.
This engagement has served to consolidate and strengthen Ireland’s participation as a whole within the EU and has further underlined our commitment to a comprehensive approach in addressing security challenges.
Flowing from Ireland’s commitment in the UN and EU contexts, and consistent with our policy of military neutrality, the deployment of the Defence Forces on overseas peace support operations continues to provide an active and very tangible demonstration of Ireland’s commitment to supporting the maintenance of international peace and security.
Domestically, our Defence Forces remain a key constituent of the State’s security architecture and continue to deliver a broad range of security and other support services on a day-to-day basis. The Army and Air Corps continue to provide armed support to An Garda Síochána, for example in the transit of cash and in prisoner escorts. The use of improvised explosive devices by criminals within the State requires a major ongoing response from Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal, which continues to increase.
The Naval Service is the State’s principal sea-going agency and continues to undertake a range of security and support tasks including, in conjunction with the Air Corps, surveillance and patrolling of the State’s very significant maritime domain. The Air Corps also undertakes other tasks in support to the civil authority utilising both fixed wing aircraft and helicopters.
Policy Issues
International Collective Security Co-operation
Comment