The following is the text of the agreement reached between the Minister for Defence and the Chief-of-Staff of the Defence Forces last Thursday, amending the Defence White Paper:
Personnel
The Defence Forces require a strength of 10,500 soldiers, ready to fulfil current tasks at home and abroad.
In order to maintain this force effectively for operations, and to provide for wastage (circa 1,000 per annum at present), it is necessary to have in training at any one time throughout the year, an additional 250 soldiers. It takes five months to train and recruit to a minimum standard, and a further two months for him/her to complete a 3* course and qualify as a trained soldier. (4.3.9)
The production of a plan to achieve the reduction of 1,000 personnel from the establishment of the Defence Forces will be the responsibility of the Chief-of-Staff and any organisational adjustments necessary can be carried out by him subject to an implementation plan to be approved by the Minister. (4.3.16 is redundant)
It would be important from the point of view of morale in the Defence Forces that there be no further review of strength in the 10-year lifetime of the White Paper. The strength of 10,500 represents the strength requirement to meet current roles and tasking and the current threat assessment.
The Chief-of-Staff should control promotion of officers subject to Ministerial approval, DFRS and agreements with the staff associations and all NCO promotions within the 10,500 strength and automatic recruitment to maintain the 10,500. The advertising finance for recruitment should be devolved. (4.5.5)
Organisation
The three Brigade structure remains the basic organisation necessary to meet Defence Forces (PDF and FCA) tasks and responsibilities for the duration of the White Paper. (4.3.18)
The control of FCA mandays should be the responsibility of the Chief-of-Staff.
Equipment
The delegation of supply subheads to the Chief-of-Staff will continue. In addition, the Financial Controller will advise and brief the Chief-of-Staff as he requires on current financial matters. (9.5.2/4.9.7)
SLAs with outside agencies are essential. (8.3.16)
Management
The Chief-of-Staff is the principal Military Adviser to the Minister.
Day-to-day operational control of the Defence Forces is the responsibility of the Chief-of-Staff as the principal Military Officer of the Defence Forces. He is responsible directly to the Minister on operational matters. (8.2.5)
Council of Defence
The Council of Defence will remain pending the enactment of legislation which is not currently contemplated.
I understand that the White Paper as published will be amended on the major issues above as necessary.
Michael Smith 24.2.2000