Joe Sherlock
Ceist:124 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence his views on the cutbacks in the Defence Forces recommended by the independent Estimates review committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4659/03]
Written Answers. - Defence Forces Expenditure.
The Estimates review committee recommended a net reduction of about €20 million in the Defence Estimate for 2003, to be achieved mainly by reducing the proposed spend on trainer aircraft by 50%, by postponing the second phase of the armoured personnel carrier programme and by reducing expenditure on the building programme.
The gross provision for defence in the abridged version of the Estimates for 2003 is in line with the overall amount recommended by the Estimates review committee. However, by re-allocating moneys within the overall provision in 2002 and 2003, it has been possible to proceed with the acquisition of eight trainer aircraft and an additional 25 armoured personnel carriers. The amount provided for the capital building programme in 2003 was reduced by only €2 million instead of €6 million as recommended by the committee.
In the current economic circumstances it is not possible to continue the same high rate of expenditure on equipment and infrastructure as took place in recent years. However, I am satisfied that by a process of prioritisation, key programmes of investment, such as those mentioned, will be maintained.