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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 19 Jun 2002

Vol. 553 No. 3

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Equipment.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

46 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the Defence Forces have benefited from the funds accruing from the disposal of various military installations throughout the country which were closed in 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14070/02]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

52 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which it is expected to improve and upgrade the standard of military equipment; the likely cost of such; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14076/02]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 52 together.

Receipts from the sale of properties surplus to military requirements are treated as extra Exchequer receipts with a corresponding increase in expenditure under the Defence Vote. This expenditure is additional to the normal level of investment in equipment and infrastructure for the Defence Forces.

Five of the six barracks, the closure of which was announced in 1998, have either been sold or are in the process of being sold. A number of other properties have also been identified as being surplus to military requirements. Total revenue from these sales is expected to be in the region of €100 million with the bulk of the revenue expected to be received later this year or in 2003.
In anticipation of the receipt of revenue from property sales, substantial additional money has been provided in the Defence Estimate in the past few years. This has resulted in an unprecedented level of investment in equipment and infrastructure in the Defence Forces.
A total of €230 million has been invested on equipment since 1997 and the White Paper on Defence allows for an unprecedented €320 million investment programme in equipment and infrastructure over the next decade. This programme will ensure that Ireland has a modern, sustainable defence organisation, second to none, with the depth and flexibility to respond to future demands.
Substantial programmes of investment are taking place in the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as follows. The initial contract for the supply of armoured personnel carriers to the Defence Forces is now complete with all 40 APCs delivered to the Curragh Camp by Mowag in Switzerland. The contract has the option of the purchase of further APCs from Mowag and the take-up of this option will be considered later this year. There has been significant investment on new vehicles including specialist transport cargo vehicles – deployed to KFOR – and on new troop carrying vehicles such as 4 x 4's, and ¾ ton trucks. More than €13 million has been expended on new tactical VHF radios for the Defence Forces in recent years. The planned investment package for the Army in the next three years includes the purchase of light infantry tactical vehicles, modern effective anti-armour weapons, night vision equipment, engineer equipment and medical field equipment. A pistol replacement programme for the Defence Forces is also under way.
On 17 January 2002, following on from a tender competition for the provision of medium lift helicopters, I authorised the Department to open negotiations with Sikorsky for the supply of the S-92 helicopter. One of the unsuccessful companies, Eurocopter, have now commenced proceedings in the High Court challenging my decision. Sikorsky have been joined as a notice party to the proceedings. The pre-trial procedural steps are being undertaken as expeditiously as possible by all parties. The matter is due for mention in the High Court on Monday 24 June 2002.
The acquisition of up to eight training aircraft for the Air Corps is regarded as a top priority by the Department. The request for tender documents have issued in this regard and tenders are due back on 26 July 2002.
The second new ship for the Naval Service LENiamh, which is a sister ship of LE Róisín was commissioned into the Naval Service last September. As with LE Róisín, the new ship cost more than €25 million and already is proving to be a tremendous asset to the Naval Service in carrying out its various roles. The ship has recently returned from a very successful trade mission to the far east.
With regard to infrastructure, approximately €112 million has been expended on a capital building programme from 1997 to 2001. Furthermore, another €42 million has been provided for further capital works in 2002, a grand total of €156 million. In addition, almost €50 million has been – or will be spent – on non-capital maintenance works from 1997 to 2002 inclusive.
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