asked the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied that the Panhard armoured car is the most suitable type of armoured vehicle for the Defence Forces; and if its mechanical performance is satisfactory.
23.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Defence Forces Armoured Vehicles.
22.
asked the Minister for Defence the plans he has for the manufacture of the Timoney armoured car in the light of the present employment and economic situation, taking into consideration the interest shown by prospective purchasers from other nations.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 23 together.
Panhard armoured cars and Panhard armoured personnel carriers were selected as being the most suitable vehicles of their respective types for the Defence Forces that were available when it was first decided to purchase them in 1964 and 1971 respectively. Their mechanical performance is satisfactory.
In accordance with a decision taken in 1972, three prototype vehicles, known colloquially as Timoney armoured personnel carriers, have been produced in Ireland for my Department and have been delivered to the Defence Forces. The vehicles have not completed all their tests and unless they do so satisfactorily the production of a number of vehicles based on them, for use by the forces, could not be justified on military, social or economic grounds.
In relation to the Panhard, could the Minister indicate whether the selection of such equipment was done by a committee or was the decision of one man?
I cannot answer that question because I do not know.
In relation to Question No. 22 and the Panhard armoured car, could the Minister indicate the percentage of vehicles operational at all times?
I have not got that information for the Deputy.
Is the Minister aware that only 60 per cent of these are operational at all times?
I am aware that all sorts of military vehicles and equipment require constant attention and servicing. As long as we have the number of Panhard armoured cars on the road that we need to combat any eventuality, I am satisfied.
Could the Minister indicate what type of eventuality he has in mind? Does the Minister think that 50 per cent of such eventualities would be those he envisages, or does he think the type of eventuality he envisages the only type that can happen?
An armoured personnel carrier is not a pugnacious sort of weapon or anything of that type. It is a vehicle in which one can safely move personnel in conditions of crowd control from one place to another, let out personnel if one wants or observe without letting out personnel at all. They will withstand considerable attack by bombs and almost any attack by small arms fire. Therefore, one can safely move personnel in riot conditions. As long as I am told by the military authorities that I have a sufficiency of such vehicles to combat any situation of riot or crowd control in any part of the country, then I am happy with the number I have. I am so informed and, therefore, am happy.
Could the Minister say when the tests on the Timoney armoured vehicles will be completed?
The position with regard to the Timoney armoured vehicle is that I had a conference with persons involved at the very top of the Army structure, the Civil Service, Professor Timoney and his people some weeks ago. At that time the Timoney vehicles had been on test constantly—when they had been handed over—by fairly skilled Army personnel. The last test, and there were also some small matters needing attention, would be sending them out on command where, in ordinary combat conditions, they would do a certain number of miles and so prove they were efficient vehicles and ready for production. That is the point at which they are at present. At present prototypes 2 and 3 are not being used. Prototype 1 is being used. When it has completed some thousands of miles with the commands, then we shall be able to have an appraisal. I will receive that appraisal from the military authorities and hopefully, at that stage, proceed with an order for some of these vehicles.
When approximately?
The Deputy will realise that I am as keen as he to see the Timoney vehicle manufactured here but I think the fair way to put it would be a few months rather than weeks.