Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 November 2012
170. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which he expects receipts from the disposal of military barracks or other installations to go towards the upgrading of military capability in terms of equipment or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49034/12]
View answerThe monies received from the sales of surplus properties have returned to the Defence Vote as Appropriations in Aid. The increased levels of appropriations in aid have allowed the retention of funding levels for re-equipment. Some of the major more recent programmes include the acquisition of light tactical armoured vehicles, Mowag armoured personnel carriers, two EC 135 helicopters, six AW 139 helicopters and two new offshore patrol vessels. This approach is in line with the 2000 White Paper on Defence and the Government decision of February 2000 which, inter alia, approved “ the allocation of ….100% of the revenue arising from the sale of property surplus to military requirements, for investment in equipment and infrastructure for the Defence Forces”.
