andMr. White asked the Minister for Defence the background and up-to-date position regarding the Timoney armoured personnel carrier; the number delivered to the Army; and the number presently on order.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Timoney APC.
23.
In accordance with a decision taken in 1972, three prototype vehicles, known as Timoney armoured personnel carriers, were produced in Ireland for my Department and were delivered to the Defence Forces. The end product was regarded as suitable for use by the Defence Forces.
A contract for five armoured personnel carriers, to be manufactured in Ireland, for the Defence Forces was subsequently placed by my Department. These vehicles have not yet been delivered.
Is the Minister aware of an article which appeared in Hibernia on 1 February relative to the question of Timoney armoured carriers and of the suggestion that there were problems in regard to late delivery and to these vehicles faring poorly on their testing?
There is no reference in the question to an article in Hibernia.
I take it, then, that the Minister is not aware of the article, but can he say whether there is any truth in the suggestion that there are problems in regard to late delivery of the vehicles and in regard also to testing of them by the Army? Would the Minister agree that there is a cloud in so far as this whole question of the Timoney carrier is concerned?
There have been some delays but I think that the manufacturers can claim fairly that some of these delays resulted from industrial disputes affecting telephone communications, telex and so on. The vehicles have been delivered for testing but the testing period has not been completed yet.
The Minister did not deal with the question of how the vehicles fared under testing.
I have said that the testing period is not complete.
We must move on.
I am aware that the Minister said that.
As soon as testing has been completed I shall let the Deputy know the outcome.
Will the Minister accept that there have been problems in regard to testing?
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.