Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Dec 2001

Vol. 545 No. 5

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Equipment.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

113 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence if clothing contracts for Defence Forces uniforms have recently been transferred from Irish companies to companies outside the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31035/01]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

The following information has been provided by the Government Supplies Agency which has responsibility for procuring a range of items, including clothing for the Defence Forces. The agency has awarded the following contracts for the supply of clothing to the Defence Forces in 2001.

Product	Contractor
Field Dress (Army)	Seyntex NV, Seyntexlaan, 8700 Tielt, Belgium.
Naval Service (Complete Uniform Kit)	Acorn Fashions Ltd., Whitemill Industrial Estate, Wexford.
Air Corps (Complete Uniform Kit)	Acorn Fashions Ltd., Whitemill Industrial Estate, Wexford.
Service Dress (Army)	Acorn Fashions Ltd., Whitemill Industrial Estate, Wexford.
Operational Summer Trousers	Carra Ireland Ltd., Baldoyle Industrial Estate, Dublin 13.
Army Raincoats	Name Droppers Manufacturing Ltd., Fife, Scotland.
Army Combat Suits	Portwest Limited, Westport, County Mayo.

These contracts were awarded following competitive tender competitions, advertised nationally and in theEuropean Journal. The agency has awarded no clothing contracts to companies outside the European Union. However, a number of products covered by the above contracts are and will be manufactured outside the European Union. This is a matter for the contractors themselves.