Written Answers. - Partnership for Peace.
Gay Mitchell
Question:
110
Mr. G. Mitchell
asked the
Minister for Defence
the equipment necessary for the Defence Forces in order to participate effectively in Partnership for Peace training exercises; the timetable envisaged for investment; the range of investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[8847/00]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
139
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Defence
if the Defence Forces are expected to take part in European military exercises; if so, the extent in this regard arising from Ireland's obligations under Partnership for Peace or other European security requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[8781/00]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
205
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Defence
if participation in Partnership for Peace is likely to impose personnel obligations on the Permanent Defence Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[9149/00]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
210
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Defence
the extent to which Ireland proposes to participate in military training exercises under the auspices of Partnership for Peace or other structures, other than the United Nations and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[9157/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 110, 139, 205 and 210 together.
Ireland's proposed participation in Partnership for Peace is set out in the Presentation Document which was presented to the NATO Secretariat upon signature by Ireland of the PfP Framework Document on 1 December 1999. In consultation with the NATO Secretariat, an individual partnership programme will shortly be developed which will cover a two year period initially and which will set out the level and extent of proposed participation in such areas as co-operation in peacekeeping principles, doctrine, training and exercises and inter-operability in peacekeeping operations. No decisions, however, have as yet been made in relation to specific activities to be included within the individual partnership programme.
Participation in PfP is entirely voluntary and is based on the principle of self-differentiation, that is a state selects for itself the nature and scope of its participation in PfP activities.
It is the policy of the Government to ensure that the Defence Forces are adequately trained, equipped and resourced to undertake whatever operations with which they are tasked from time to time. In this regard in recent years considerable sums have been expended under the Defence Vote for new weapons, transport and communications equipment and in providing new and up-graded living and operational accommodation for the Defence Forces. Some of the more important developments in relation to the improvement of Defence Forces' equipment are: a contract was placed at the end of last year for the purchase of 40 armoured personnel carriers, initial spares, special tools and training courses – the total cost of which is in the region of £40 million: the supply of 16 new turrets and 16 fire directing systems for fitting to existing Panhard armoured cars; the purchase of two batteries of refurbished 105 millimetre light artillery guns to replace 25 pounder guns which are now obsolete; delivery, in December 1998, of the final instalment of equipment to complete a major programme to provide new tactical VHF radios for the Defence Forces at a total cost of approximately £10.5 million; and expenditure this year of approximately £6.5 million on specialist transport cargo vehicles and on new troop carrying vehicles such as 4 x 4's, ton trucks, buses, motorcycles and an ambulance.
The £25 million investment package which I announced recently for the purchase of light infantry tactical vehicles, modern effective anti-armour weapons, night vision equipment, engineer equipment and medical field equipment, forms an integral part of the overall investment programme.
In the case of participation by the Defence Forces in PfP activities, it is envisaged that any costs arising within the Defence Vote in a specific year will be proportionate to the level of participation selected in advance and reflected in the individual partnership programme and will be balanced, taking account of overall budgetary constraints as well as existing operational commitments, by the Defence Forces both at home and overseas.
Ireland is not obliged to take part in military exercises in the context of European security as suggested by Deputy Durkan.
