Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 May 2000

Vol. 519 No. 3

Written Answers - Naval Service Vessels.

Ivor Callely

Question:

129 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Defence the expenditure on updating Naval Service vessels and equipment over the past five years; if he will give a comparison figure on Air Corps craft and equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13832/00]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

Investment in new equipment for the Naval Service and the Air Corps is reflected by expenditure under the subheads of the defence vote relating to (1) ships and naval stores and (2) aircraft.

The total amount expended in those subheads in the last five years was as follows:

Year	Ships and Naval Stores£m	Aircraft£m
1995	4.29	16.80
1996	4.15	12.87
1997	10.12	12.27
1998	15.53	11.45
1999	16.03	13.17

The two subheads comprise expenditure relating to equipment acquisition as well as maintenance, up-grading and operational costs. As regards year on year comparison of the amounts it should be noted that some re-arrangement of the content of subheads may have been necessary during the period for accounting purposes.

The Deputy will be aware that in the context of considering the White Paper on Defence the Government conveyed approval for the allocation of 100% of pay savings arising from the reduction in the approved strength level of the Permanent Defence Force, together with 100% of the revenue arising from the sale of property surplus to military requirements, for investment in equipment and infrastructure for the Defence Forces, including the Naval Service and Air Corps.

Last month, I signed a contract for the construction of a further ship for the Naval Service, similar toLE Róisín. In addition, in recognition of the urgent equipment modernisation requirements of the Air Corps I announced on 1 March 2000 the allocation of a total of up to £55 million over the next three years for this purpose. These funds will initiate vital investment in new aircraft for the Air Corps under the direction of the high level civil-military planning and procurement group which, as indicated in the White Paper, will be tasked with the development of a new plan to address Defence Forces' equipment needs over a five-year timeframe. This substantial funding for the Air Corps in the short-term will ensure that the Air Corps is ready and equipped to carry out different taskings as required.

The savings arising from the restructuring of the Defence Forces are estimated at £20 million per year – a total of £200 million over the ten year period covered by the White Paper. Together with the revenue of at least £50 million expected from the sale of the six barracks, this will result in a level of investment in the Defence Forces which will ensure that the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are fully equipped with the most modern equipment to carry out their roles at home and overseas.