Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 February 2022
275. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Defence the expenditure on chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear suits by his Department in 2019 or 2020 and 2021; if Ireland’s existing stock of suits have been replaced having been previously identified as a priority acquisition under the equipment development plan process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5642/22]
View answerUnder the Framework for Major Emergency Management the Defence Forces can be tasked in aid of Civil Power to provide operational support in a response to a national chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) incident in order to mark, cordon, monitor, measure, decontaminate, retrieve and dispose of any CBRN devices and matter so found. Additionally, the Defence Forces in the context of overseas deployments may be required to operate in CBRN environments.
To that end a stock of CBRN suits to enable this capability is maintained by the Defence Forces. The existing stock was last acquired in 2006 and is due for replacement. Whilst no new suits have been purchased 2019 to 2021 inclusive, the program for a replacement has advanced and following market engagement, the trialling and testing necessary to underpin the program, has commenced.
The outcome of this very important phase will serve to better inform the Defence Forces Ordnance Corps regarding the critical specification required for the new suits in order to ensure that Defence Forces personnel will be equipped with suits that meet international safety standards.
While there was no direct expenditure in 2019, 2020 and in 2021 on CBRN suits the sum of €618,956 (as tabulated below) has been spent on essential CBRN platforms and ancillaries during that period in order to maintain CBRN capability.
Table 1 – CBRN Support Expenditure:
|
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
Total |
|
€44,250.60 |
€45,961.50 |
€528,744.05 |
€618,956.15 |
