Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 5 Nov 1997

Vol. 482 No. 4

Written Answers - Defence Forces Equipment.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

50 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Defence the steps, if any, which have been taken, or are planned, to equip the Defence Forces adequately for an expanded role in international peacekeeping in relation to the commitment given in An Action Programme for the Millennium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18129/97]

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

60 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Defence if he has satisfied himself with the current levels of military equipment within the Army; the plans, if any, he has in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18174/97]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 60 together.

Requests for participation by the Defence Forces in international peacekeeping missions will be considered on their merits by the Government on a case by case basis. Where a decision is taken to respond to any such request the military unit concerned will be provided with the equipment necessary for the carrying out of its mission. The Defence Forces are currently participating in a number of overseas missions involving a total of 750 personnel and troops serving on such missions are provided with adequate resources to carry out their tasks.

In recent years considerable sums have been expended under the Defence Vote for new weappons, transport and communications equipment and in providing new and up-graded living and operational accommodation for the Defence Forces.

The question of procuring armoured personnel carriers is under consideration in my Department at present. A project team has been established comprising civilian and military personnel and has been tasked with identifying the most suitable type of APC for the Defence Forces, the numbers and variants required and the estimated costs involved. Procurement of APC's will be undertaken by way of a competition which will be conducted in accordance with Government contracts procedures.

In the context of the implementation of the new organisation for the Defence Forces and completion of the associated programme for voluntary early retirement, it is intended to channel an increased level of expenditure towards infrastructural and equipment improvements.