Vol. 564 No. 2
106 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Defence the amount of taxpayers' money spent in 2002-2003 on buying arms and new weapons; the amount spent on an audit of lands owned by his Department lying idle at the moment; the amount of moneys owed to the State by the United Nations for duties overseas; and the number of troops killed on United Nations peacekeeping missions. [9158/03]
The amount expended in 2002 on defensive equipment was €41million. The provision for 2003 is just under €30 million.
The question of the sale of property surplus to military requirements is under ongoing examination to fund continuous investment to meet the equipment and infrastructure needs of the Defence Forces. There has been no expenditure on an audit such as that mentioned.
The total amount of money due to my Department by the United Nations as at 31 March, 2003 in respect of contributions towards troop and other costs associated with the participation of Defence Force personnel in UN missions is calculated at €9.09 million approximately. Continuous efforts are made by my Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs to recover the moneys owed from the UN.
