Vol. 503 No. 2
88 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Defence if he has satisfied himself with the equipment available to the FCA; if he has further satisfied himself with personnel clothing available to its members; the proposals, if any, he has in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9422/99]
I consider that the equipment available to the FCA is appropriate to the tasking of the organisation. The range of equipment includes personal weapons, artillery pieces, communications equipment, transport, uniforms and protective clothing. In areas where there is co-location of PDF and FCA units a policy of equipment exchange is in operation to familiarise FCA personnel with the more advanced equipment on issue to PDF units.
The whole area of equipment and clothing for the FCA is being reviewed at present and the emphasis will be on commonality of equipment across the Defence Forces.
