Vol. 486 No. 1
388 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 30 of 17 December 1997 the cost of the aviation fuel consultancy for Gormanston Camp; the purpose of this assignment; when it will be completed; the cost of the Aer Rianta consultancy for Gormanston and Baldonnel; the purpose of this; the procedures adopted in relation to the placing of this; and to indicate when the current assignment will be completed. [1676/98]
Hugh Munro and Company, Consultant Engineers, were appointed in 1995 to examine and report on the condition of aviation fuel tanks at Gormanston Camp and a number of other locations and to supervise any necessary repair works. Payments amounting to £47,020 were made for the overall consultancy. Supervision of repairs to ancillary pipework at the Gormanston installation was subsequently undertaken by the company at a cost of £5,171.
Aer Rianta is employed on an ongoing basis to examine all planning applications for developments in the vicinity of the Air Corps facilities at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel and Gormanston Camp, County Meath and advise the Department with regard to same. They have been employed in that capacity since 1975 when the engineering branch of the Department of Transport and Power was transferred to Aer Rianta on a permanent basis. An annual fee of £3,500 is paid in respect of this consultancy.
389 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence the cost of the external consultants who were engaged for outplacement in 1997; the names of the consultants; and the current position regarding the engagement of these for the 1998 voluntary early retirement scheme. [1677/98]
In February 1997, following a tender competition, a contract for the provision of career change and outplacement support services in connection with the 1997 scheme for voluntary early retirement for members of the Defence Forces was placed with O'Shea Business Consultants Limited. The total amount paid to the company for the provision of this service in 1997 was £227,401.00.
The details of a voluntary early retirement scheme for 1998 are at present under consideration and no decision has been taken regarding the provision of outplacement services in connection with such a scheme.
