asked the Minister for Defence if the Timoney APC has reached an acceptable stage of development to make its production viable; and if production will take place in Ireland.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Armoured Personnel Carrier.
5.
Evaluation of the armoured personnel carrier project has been completed, and the end product is regarded as suitable for use by the Defence Forces.
The question of the purchase of further carriers is under consideration by my Department.
That is not the question I asked. The question is if the Timoney APC has reached an acceptable stage of development to make its production viable and if production will take place in Ireland?
That question would be a matter for the Department of Industry and Commerce.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this Irish-designed vehicle, the development of which was initiated by the previous Government and which was financed out of public funds, has received favourable comment by military observers in other countries on its viability and technical achievement? We were told by the Minister for Defence that some part of the development would be carried out in Belgium, notwithstanding the fact that it has been developed out of public funds. Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that an advertisement appeared in a multi-language Italian/Swiss defence journal stating that the Timoney armed personnel carrier was being made in a factory at Bornem in Belgium? Will the carrier be manufactured in Belgium?
The Deputy is aware that two carriers are involved, the BDX and a prototype. The carrier referred to by the Deputy is the BDX and the Department have no interest in it.
What is the position in regard to the prototype?
There are three models and the Department and the Army are satisfied with the third model. On 30th October, 1976, the Quartermaster-General indicated that it was suitable.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that feet have been dragged for months and months?
If Deputy Lynch doubts the Quartermaster-General——
I doubt the political heads of the Department.
It is a fact that three carriers were developed.
A question, Deputy.
I am asking the Parliamentary Secretary if three Army carriers were developed by Timoney, if one of them was cannibalised for use on the other two. One has been in Belgium but was returned recently. Can the Parliamentary Secretary say if Timoney is producing vehicles other than those referred to in the question?
I should like to know what vehicle the Deputy is talking about. The Department are not interested in the BDX.
On 30th June, 1976, the Minister for Defence said that Professor Timoney was in Belgium trying to make a deal. Can the Parliamentary Secretary indicate if that deal has been completed and, if so, what effect it will have on employment here?
That is a matter for the Department of Industry and Commerce.
I want to deal with other questions.
The previous Government allocated money for the development of this vehicle. I want to know if the vehicle will be produced here to give the employment anticipated in the early stages. Can the Parliamentary Secretary indicate if the deal that the Minister spoke about last June has been completed?
On 21st May, 1976, the Government approved a request, subject to among other conditions that no agreement would be entered into by Dr. Timoney or any other company or person without the prior approval of the Government and that the necessary licence would be issued by the Minister for Industry and Commerce. The conditions were agreed to by Dr. Timoney.
I have given the Deputy a lot of latitude.
In relation to the statement that Professor Timoney was in Belgium to make a deal, can we have some indication whether the deal was to produce the vehicle in Belgium?
That is a matter for the Department of Industry and Commerce.