asked the Minister for Defence the total cost in each of the past three years of weaponry, ships, vehicles and other equipment imported from abroad, either directly or via an Irish agent, for the use of the defence forces.
Written Answers. - Defence Forces Equipment Imports.
200.
The information sought in the Deputy's question is not readily available in my Department and a disproportionate amount of work and time would be involved in extracting it.
Particulars of expenditure for each of the years referred to, under appropriate headings, are listed below. These related to goods and services for the Defence Forces. It is estimated that the bulk of the expenditure was in respect of goods which were imported from abroad following purchase either directly from abroad or via Irish agents:
|
1977 |
1978 |
1979 |
|
|
£000 |
£000 |
£000 |
|
|
Defensive Equipment |
2,520 |
4,562 |
7,909 |
|
Motor Transport Vehicles |
1,416 |
2,655 |
2,756 |
|
Aircraft |
1,441 |
1,359 |
3,571 |
|
Helicopters |
485 |
450 |
982 |
|
Ships |
3,134 |
3,347 |
4,225 |
|
Other Equipment |
1,724 |
3,557 |
2,266 |
The figures shown for 1979 are provisional. The Other Equipment heading includes communications equipment, engineering equipment, Naval Service equipment (other than ships) and certain services for which expenditure cannot readily be isolated.