asked the Minister for Defence if at any time Army uniforms, whether new or second-hand, combat or dress, have been purchased from abroad; and, if so, if he will state from what countries, when, at what price, and why these uniforms could not be obtained in this country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Uniforms.
78.
It has always been the practice to purchase items of uniform clothing from home sources. However, the tunics and trousers of combat uniform were purchased from abroad in 1968 and 1969, 1,550 from Britain and 500 from Denmark. All the other items comprising this uniform were supplied by Irish firms and these represent more than half the total cost of the uniform. A tender for the supply of 1,200 combat tunics and trousers was not received by the date set for the return of tenders from any of the Irish firms invited to tender.
It is not the practice to disclose contract prices.
Can we take it now that the battledress of the Irish Army is the same as that worn by British troops?
Yes.
That does not arise.
May we take it that the battledress of the Irish Army is the same in design and colour as that worn by British troops on the other side of the border?
That does not necessarily follow. The battledress is up to Irish standards and that is all that matters.
Is it not a fact that this Government purchased 1,500 combat uniforms of design similar to that worn by the British Army?
They have purchased uniforms in keeping with the standard required by the Irish Army.
Is it true that the Irish Government have purchased uniforms for the Irish Army abroad? Was it not possible to have these uniforms made in this country?
A date was set for the return of tenders. None was received by that date.
Was there an immediate rush to buy foreign material? Surely the Minister must be aware of the implications?
Were these uniforms worn in Cyprus by Irish troops serving side by side with the British Army?
That is a separate question.
Is it not true that they were purchased in Great Britain and are of the same design as those worn by the British Army?
The uniform conforms with the standard required by the Irish Army.
Why is the Minister afraid to answer? Is it not true that they were purchased in Britain?
Can we have a guarantee that no more Irish Army uniforms will be purchased in Britain?
I am not denying that they were purchased in Britain.
Am I to understand that uniforms were bought from outside this country for the Irish Army when in my constituency there is a firm threatened with closure which has gone to the Department of Industry and Commerce and asked for any Army contracts to be given to them?
Why did they not tender when tenders were invited?
Advertisements can easily be missed by a firm. Surely every effort should be made to ensure that Irish Army uniforms will be made in this country? It is terrible to hear it said here that it was not possible to get the job done in Ireland.
Fianna Fáil policy.
If a member of the Irish Army is caught on the other side of the border wearing a British Army uniform he will be shot on sight.
Next question.