Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 October 2004
17 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the amount expended on equipment for the Defence Forces in 2002 and 2003; his plans for further expenditure in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24295/04]
View answerThe acquisition of new equipment for the Defence Forces will be a key focus for me as Minister for Defence. I am aware that significant investment has taken place in recent years and I want to continue the good work in that regard.
The unprecedented level of expenditure on equipment for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service was made possible by the Government's decision that pay savings arising from the reorganisation of the Defence Forces set out in the White Paper of 2000, along with proceeds from the sale of surplus properties, would be reallocated for investment in modern facilities and equipment.
Investment in new equipment for the Army, Air Corps and the Naval Service is provided for under various subheads of the defence Vote relating to defensive equipment, mechanical transport, aircraft, ships, naval stores etc. The total expenditure for 2002 for equipment under those subheads was €97 million. The corresponding figure for 2003 was €100 million.
We have made excellent progress in terms of new equipment and better infrastructure and I will continue that process. The taxpayer gets extremely good value for money both in terms of home operations and duties overseas. At every available opportunity, I will champion the cause of ongoing investment and development of our Defence Forces. It is my desire that we continue to make substantial investment in new equipment and infrastructure in 2005 and beyond. While expenditure programmes will now have to be more prioritised I will ensure that a substantial re-equipment programme will continue to enhance the efficiency, professionalism and safety of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service.
This week sees the final delivery in the contract for the 25 additional armoured personnel carriers, which gives the Defence Forces 65 armoured personnel carriers in total. These armoured personnel carriers are on operational duties with our troops in Kosovo and Liberia. The initial contract for 40 armoured personnel carriers saw deliveries completed by March 2002 and was valued at €51 million, inclusive of VAT. The value of the additional contract is some €33 million inclusive of VAT with payments spread over the period 2002 to 2005.
Another significant contract relates to the acquisition of the Javelin missile system from Raytheon-Lockheed Martin in the US at a cost of some €13 million inclusive of VAT. The purpose of this acquisition is to give Defence Forces personnel an effective, anti-armour capability while on peace support operations. The system will replace the Milan system. Some items under the contract have been delivered to allow for the training of personnel. The main delivery is scheduled for early 2005.
Additional information
There have been ongoing programmes of acquisitions of both nuclear biological chemical equipment and night vision equipment in recent years and these programmes will continue to meet the ongoing requirements of the Defence Forces.
The acquisition of light tactical vehicles for the Defence Forces will also be considered in the light of the ongoing budgetary position. The main priority for the Air Corps has been the purchase of eight fixed wing training aircraft all of which have been delivered. The new aircraft is the Pilatus PC-9M, manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft Limited, Switzerland. The cost of the eight aircraft is approximately €60 million. While these aircraft are primarily for pilot training, they are capable of being armed and as such will have a limited defensive capability.
The procurement process for the acquisition of new helicopters for the Air Corps is progressing well. This major investment programme involves the acquisition of six helicopters — two light utility helicopters primarily for Air Corps crew training purposes and four larger utility helicopters, with the option of two further such helicopters for use in support of the Army and for other ancillary uses such as air ambulance. It is expected that a contract for the acquisition of the helicopters will be signed before the end of the year.
The Naval Service has also benefited from the investment programme in recent years with the acquisition of two new modern ships, LE Róisín and LE Niamh, at a cost of some €25 million each.
What make of armoured personnel carriers were purchased? Is it true that many of these armoured personnel carriers require a huge amount of maintenance and are out of action for long periods? With regard to the value the public is getting for this equipment, what type of value for money audit takes place? It is no good if the equipment is broken down most of the time. My information is that they are Mowag armoured personnel carriers and cost approximately €1 million each. Are there other carriers that are cheaper and equally good? What amount of money was raised from the sale of the properties and did all the proceeds go towards Defence Forces equipment and the upgrading of other properties?
It is not my information that there are substantial difficulties with maintaining these armoured personnel carriers. Certainly that has not been brought to my attention. I am aware that a detailed evaluation process, including value for money considerations, takes place when equipment of this magnitude is being purchased. That evaluation committee comprises personnel from the relevant section of the Army, whether the Air Corps, the Naval Service or the Permanent Defence Force. It also includes a number of personnel from the Department of Defence. I would be amazed if Deputy Stanton's assertion was correct. As the Deputy will be aware the initial contract was for 40 armoured personnel carriers following which we contracted to purchase an additional 25 armoured personnel carriers. If these problems arose in respect of the initial 40 armoured personnel carriers, surely no properly instructed person involved in the evaluation process would dare recommend the purchase of the additional 25 armoured personnel carriers. That matter would have been brought to the attention of the Minister. I do not recall the Deputy's other question.
What moneys accrued to the State from the sale of properties and did it all go back into the Defence Forces?
I do not have the exact figure, but it was of the order of approximately €200 million and it all went towards either the purchase of equipment, protective clothing, radio equipment or upgrading of infrastructures, specifically barracks. It all went back into the Department of Defence.
