Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 31 Oct 1991

Vol. 411 No. 8

Written Answers. - Defence Force Weapons.

Seán Ryan

Question:

111 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for Defence when it is proposed that the Steyr rifle and the .5 machine gun will be assigned to reserve units; and when the Bren light machine gun and the Gustav submachine gun will be withdrawn from service.

Minister for Defence (Mr. Daly)

The standardisation of equipments between the Reserve Defence Force and the Permanent Defence Force is undertaken in specific areas in so far as resources allow.

For reasons of economy, however, it is necessary that some existing serviceable equipment, no longer used by the Permanent Defence Force, would continue to be used by the Reserve Defence Force.

In the circumstances it is not intended at present to issue the Steyr rifle or the .5 machine gun to the Reserve Defence Force or to withdraw the Bren light machine gun and the Gustav submachine gun from service.