asked the Minister for Defence whether members of the Defence Forces were issued with uniforms purchased from the British Government; and, if so, if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers (Resumed). - Army Uniforms.
172.
Members of the Defence Forces have not been issued with uniforms purchased from the British Government. The second part of the Deputy's question does not, therefore, arise.
Is it not true that when Deputy Gibbons was Minister for Defence, his Department purchased 2,000 British army uniforms?
The answer is as I have given it, that members of the Defence Forces have not been issued with British army uniforms.
The answer cannot be as the Minister has given it because it is affirmatively on the records of this House that British army uniforms were purchased and distributed among the Defence Forces. I ask the Minister if he will use his office immediately to ensure that these uniforms are withdrawn from anyone on Border patrol.
There is no need of so doing because uniforms have not been purchased from the British Government.
Do I take it that the Minister is denying what Deputy Gibbons as Minister for Defence said? He said that 2,000 British army uniforms had been purchased for the Irish Army. Do I take it that he is contradicting that? It is a disgrace to this country and to the Army that they were issued with British army uniforms.