Decision Making Process for Major Policy Proposals

The White Paper on Defence was approved by Government in July 2015. The preparation of the White Paper was informed by a wide-ranging consultation process, which was facilitated by the publication of the first ever Green Paper on Defence in July 2013. Discussions were held with a range of government departments and State agencies on cross-cutting policy issues.

The views of international organisations were also obtained, with a particular focus on likely future trends in international peace support operations. A symposium on the White Paper was also held in May 2015 and this, coupled with Dáil statements in June 2015, provided a final opportunity for inputs from stakeholders, prior to the finalisation of the White Paper.