asked the Minister for Defence if further robots for use by bomb disposal teams have been procured; if so, the number and the total number now in the hands of the Defence Forces; and if a complete bomb disposal unit, including such robots, will be maintained at Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bomb Disposal Robots.
10.
For security reasons details regarding purchases and numbers of robots held by the Defence Forces cannot be given.
For the foreseeable future a complete bomb disposal team, with robot, will be maintained at Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick.
Could the Minister tell us where other such units are located?
No. That is a security matter. I cannot tell the Deputy. I can tell the House that I am at the stage where I am satisfied that a reasonably good bomb disposal service is available to every citizen in the country. That does not mean we will not be expanding it further.
I cannot understand the Minister saying it is a security matter when he answers a question in relation to Limerick.
There is one in Limerick. I did not say where all the others were.
Could the Minister say how many are located in the north west?
No. It is quite obvious that in major centres of population there are such bomb disposal units, but I am not going to give subversives details of every bomb disposal unit and where it is based.
Apart from the subversives, the public are entitled to know.
The subversives might be wondering, too, and the Deputy is not being helpful.
How many are there?
Question No. 11 postponed.