Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Oct 2001

Vol. 542 No. 5

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Equipment.

Alan Shatter

Question:

186 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces have available to them a specialist reconnaissance vehicle with specialist sampling and analysis equipment; and the consideration given by him to the acquisition of such a vehicle to ensure the Army has such equipment as is necessary to detect nuclear, chemical or biological contamination. [25078/01]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

Currently, there are no such specialist reconnaissance vehicles in the Defence Forces. The question of the provision of specialist vehicles is kept under review. The Defence Forces have a range of nuclear, biological and chemical equipment, including 50 of the most technologically up to date chemical gas monitors, and Defence Forces personnel are currently being trained on these.