Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 October 2009
19 Deputy Peter Kelly asked the Minister for Defence when he expects the safety roll bars recommended after the Granard crash to be installed on military troop carrying vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34741/09]
View answerFollowing an accident involving a troop carrying vehicle in Granard, Co. Longford in June 2007, a study group was formed to advise on the introduction of a Roll Over Protection System for troop carrying vehicles incorporating roll bars and safety belts.
Arising from the report of the study group a number of different options were fitted to different vehicles for testing and evaluation to identify the key requirements and performance characteristics of roll over systems. The tests included vibration tests, noise tests and exhaust emission tests.
A report on the introduction of Rollover Protection Systems in the Defence Forces Troop Carrying Vehicles was completed in July 2009 by a Board of Officers in the Defence Forces and submitted to the relevant military authorities.
A tender competition for the supply and fit of Roll Over Protection Seating Systems for Defence Forces Troop Carrying Vehicles is currently being run in accordance with public procurement requirements. The process commenced on 28 September 2009 when an open competition was advertised by the Defence Forces in the Official Journal of the European Union. The contract will be for the supply of systems over a period of three years and will commence in year one with the fitting of the system to 50 Defence Forces' vehicles and the modification of a further 50 vehicles to accept the system. The requirements for years two and three will be subject to review of the effectiveness of the selected system.
The closing date for receipt of tenders is 27 October 2009. It is expected that following the evaluation of tenders and subject to a suitable system being offered, a contract will be placed and work can commence on the installation of systems as soon as possible thereafter.
