asked the Minister for Defence if he has any plans to replace the present issue of FN rifles to the PDF; and if he has any plans to issue the FCA with replacement weapons for their .303 rifles and Bren guns.
25.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Weapons.
5.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline the progress to date on the proposed transfer by the Army to new weapons, etc; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Question No. 5 and Question No. 25, which is a priority question, together. The question of the replacement of the FN 7.62 mm rifles held by the Permanent Defence Force has been under consideration in my Department including the evaluation of a number of alternative weapons. There are, however, no proposals to replace the weapons used by An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil.
I suggest to the Minister that the present weapons on issue to the FCA, the main weapons being Bren guns and rifles, were being used at the beginning of the last World War and that they are obsolete by any international military standard. In fact, some of the subversive outfits here are equipped with more modern weapons than are FCA personnel.
The Deputy is pushing an open door in pointing out the obsolescence of the weapons because I accept what he has said. Steps are being taken to replace the FN 7.625 and the .303, which is even more obsolete if such could be the case, with what are now regarded as standardised light weapons which are to become the main light weapon in the armies of Western Europe, the 5.56 mm rifle which is now being tested. We have had tests carried out on a number of alternatives and this seems to be the one most suited for a variety of reasons, including weight, cost and the cost of ammunition. The phasing in of this 5.56 mm weapon will be taking place shortly. Exhaustive tests have been almost completed and final evaluations are taking place. I am referring to the PDF, not Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil.
Will the Minister consider issuing the FCA with the same rifles in so far as the existing .303 is a waste of time, energy and finance because separate ammunition is being used by the PDF and the FCA. Would it not be a more acceptable financial proposition to be using the same weapons and ammunition in relation to the main weapon, the rifle for both forces?
I agree that that proposal makes sense. First of all, it is a question of phasing this weapon into service in relation to the Permanent Defence Force and I expect that having done that the phasing will then continue on to the FCA.
Will the Minister tell the House when the technical evaluation on the 5.56 will be concluded by the ordnance section of his Department? Will the Minister agree that the 5.56 weapon is a standard NATO specification? Have any submissions been made to the Department in regard to the supply of those weapons? Will the Minister say where the Department intend purchasing the weapons?
The evaluation is taking place. We have been supplied, free of charge, with a number of these weapons for final evaluation. The evaluation will continue for some short time and we hope to start thinking seriously of purchasing these weapons in a very short time. The Deputy will appreciate that the cost of such weaponry is very high and we will have to be guided by the availability of finance for this purpose but the procurement programme by the military side has been submitted to me. Preparations must be put in train to meet, as far as we can, the proposals of the military in relation to phasing in.
Will the Minister agree that the versatility of the new equipment is very important? Will the Minister agree that as a neutral country it is important from our point of view that we should purchase from a non-aligned NATO country? Will the Minister give consideration to that?
I will. The Deputy, and the House, will appreciate that we have not reached the stage of appointing suppliers. When that comes up what the Deputy has said will be borne in mind.
When does the Minister visualise that happening?
I cannot give the Deputy a definite time for this. It depends on when the military side are satisfied about the weapon concerned.