Breeda Moynihan-Cronin
Question:87 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Defence his position on the European Commission Green Paper on Defence Procurement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28829/04]
View answerWednesday, 17 November 2004
Questions (65, 66)
Written answers
The Green Paper on Defence Procurement is one of the measures announced by the European Commission in its Communication — Towards a European Union defence equipment policy, adopted on 11 March 2003, COM(2003)113 final. Through these measures, the Commission hopes to contribute to the gradual creation of a European defence equipment market which is more transparent and open between member states and which would increase economic efficiency.
The purpose of the Green Paper on Defence Procurement is to develop debate on the establishment of an appropriate regulatory framework for the procurement of defence equipment. To date the procurement of defensive equipment in member states has been outside the scope of the normal procurement directives as provided in Article 296 — ex Article 223 — of the treaty. In so far as my Department is concerned, we welcome any developments which might lead to greater economies in the purchase of equipment for the Defence Forces.
Damien English
Question:88 Mr. English asked the Minister for Defence the number of NBC protective clothing suits available to the Defence Forces; if new suits have been acquired in the past three months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28765/04]
View answerThe Defence Forces have available to them equipment for monitoring and protecting their members in dealing with nuclear, biological or chemical, NBC, threats identified from time to time. They hold an extensive range of modern NBC equipment that meets their current requirements. This range includes approximately 7,000 NBC suits, 1,500 of which were delivered in the early part of this year. It is planned to purchase a further 1,000 NBC suits next year. The requirement for additional NBC equipment is kept under continuous review by the Defence Forces. A programme for the purchase of NBC equipment is ongoing and whatever equipment deemed necessary is purchased expeditiously to meet the changing requirements.