Brendan McGahon
Question:20 Mr. McGahon asked the Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces are equipped to undertake the Petersberg Tasks outlined in the Amsterdam Treaty. [9237/99]
Written Answers. - Defence Forces Equipment.
Frances Fitzgerald
Question:112 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces are equipped to undertake the Petersburg tasks outlined in the Amsterdam Treaty. [9304/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 112 together.
The Amsterdam Treaty brings within the remit of the Common Foreign and Security Policy the Petersberg Tasks of humanitarian and rescue tasks, peace-keeping and crisis management. The treaty provides that it will be for the Western European Union to carry out such tasks, at the instigation of the EU. Ireland will be entitled to participate in such tasks and has indicated its willingness to do so on a case by case basis. Ireland considers it important that the EU should seek to ensure the effective functioning of these new provisions on peace-keeping and crisis management when the Amsterdam Treaty comes into force.
Any involvement by the Defence Forces in Petersberg Tasks under the auspices of the Amsterdam Treaty would most likely be in the areas of peace-keeping and humanitarian tasks on a voluntary and case by case basis. It is the policy of the Government to ensure that the Defence Forces are adequately trained, equipped and resourced to undertake whatever overseas operations with which they are tasked from time to time.
Ivan Yates
Question:23 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Defence if he has satisfied himself with the tendering arrangements carried out in relation to the granting of a contract to supply new armoured personnel carriers; if he will review this tendering process in view of the fact one of the companies does not believe the comments made are accurate in relation to its product being out of date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9249/99]
Michael D'Arcy
Question:40 Mr. D'Arcy asked the Minister for Defence the reason the two companies which were selected for tendering process for APC; the reason other companies were not selected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9276/99]
Frances Fitzgerald
Question:118 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence if he has satisfied himself with the tendering arrangements carried out in relation to the granting of a contract to supply new armoured personnel carriers; if he will review this tendering process in view of the fact one of the companies does not believe the comments made are accurate in relation to its product being out of date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9310/99]
Frances Fitzgerald
Question:144 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the reason the two companies were selected for tendering process for armoured personnel carriers; the reason other companies were not selected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9336/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 23, 40, 118 and 144 together.
In common with all tender competitions organised by my Department, the competition for the procurement of Armoured Personnel Carriers was conducted in strict compliance with Government procurement procedures whose objective is the achievement of the highest standards of impartiality, objectivity and transparency. Tenderers were afforded equal opportunity in their submissions and in providing such further information as was necessary to ensure that their proposals were fully presented to the Department.
More than 30 prospective suppliers worldwide had expressed interest in the APC procurement programme and proposals were received from 12 companies. The proposals were evaluated and assessed by a civilian-military project team which was established to manage the procurement process through all stages to ensure that value for money is obtained for the expenditure involved.
Two vehicles were selected to go forward to the final stage of the tender competition having complied fully with the initial technical specification. The vehicles proposed by the other ten firms failed to comply with one or more of a range of essential elements of the specification and the firms were notified accordingly. I am satisfied that the assessment of compliance with the technical requirements of the specification was carried out by the project team in a professional and objective manner.
The successful proposals were submitted by Mowag of Switzerland who manufacture the Piranha APC and Steyr-Daimler-Puch of Austria who manufacture the Pandur APC.
In February last these two suppliers were asked to prepare formal tenders on the basis of a more detailed specification. Completed tenders were received in my Department on 19 March and they are being evaluated to determine technical merit and the best economic advantage to the Department. The evaluation process will include trials in Ireland of both vehicles by the Defence Forces. The trials will commence shortly and will continue for about two months. The aim of the trials is to assess from a technical and user perspective the suitability of the vehicles.
I expect that a contract will be in place later this year for the supply of up to 40 APCs over five years and the first APCs should be delivered next year.
The purchase of modern APCs is regarded by the Defence Forces as the most urgent equipment requirement to enable them carry out all of the roles assigned by Government. One of the priorities in An Action Programme for the Millennium is to "equip the Defence Forces adequately for an expanded role in international peacekeeping". The procurement of APCs forms an integral part of an ongoing re-equipment programme.