Written Answers Nos. 145-161
145. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the detail of the sale of all military equipment in each of the past five years; the type of equipment sold; the amount received; the date the sale occurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15965/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy priority as Minister with Responsibility for Defence is to ensure the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible so as to enable the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service to carry out their roles as assigned by Government. In this regard defensive equipment requirements for the Defence Forces are kept under constant review. As part of the equipment planning process a number of major equipment platforms were identified for disposal in the last few years.
In 2013 the Naval Service Ship Offshore Patrol Vessel the former LÉ Emer was sold to Uniglobe Industrial Services Limited of Nigeria for a sum of €380,965.20.
There were no disposals of defensive equipment in 2014.
In 2015 the Gulfstream GIV fixed wing aircraft was sold to Journey Aviation LLC of the United States for a sum of €418,055.20. Spare parts for the Gulfstream were also sold that year to the same buyer for a sum of €52,858.78.
Also in 2015, the Naval Service Offshore Patrol Vessel the former LÉ Aoife was donated to the Ministry of Home Affairs & National Security, Malta to assist in the humanitarian crisis in the region. A nominal sum of €30,000.00 was received for the transfer of ownership of the vessel.
In 2015 Nineteen (19) Panhard Armoured Vehicles, including accessories and spare parts, were sold to Sofema S.A., of France for a sum of €130,000.00.
There were no disposals of equipment in 2016.
Finally, in 2017 the former Naval Service Vessel the LÉ Aisling was sold by way of public auction to Mr Dick Van Der Kamp, a Dutch Shipbroker for a sum of €110,000.00.
There have been no disposals in 2018 to date.
Future equipment priorities for the Defence Forces are being considered in the context of the lifetime of the White Paper on Defence as part of the capability development and equipment planning process. The principal aim over the period of the White Paper will be to replace and upgrade, as required, existing capabilities in order to retain a flexible response for a wide range of operational requirements both at home and overseas.
146. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the detail of the purchase of military equipment in each of the past five years; the type of equipment purchased; the amount received; the date the purchase occurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15966/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy priority as Minister with Responsibility for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible so as to enable the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service to carry out their roles as assigned by Government.
In terms of suppliers of military equipment, the principle of competitive tendering is used by the Department of Defence for the acquisition of defensive equipment for the Defence Forces. Central to those procedures is the requirement to allow fair competition on the e-tenders website and on the Official Journal of the European Union, where appropriate, in line with the European Union procurement Directives, including the Directive 2009/81/EC on the award of contracts in the fields of defence and security. Details of tender competitions can be accessed on the Government's e-tenders website www.etenders.ie. In addition, the Department routinely publishes details of purchase orders for goods and services valued over €20,000 on its website www.defence.ie which provides details of supplies.
The most significant investment of recent years by the Defence Organisation has been on the procurement of the new Off-Shore Patrol Vessels for the Naval Service. This programme has seen the delivery of three new Naval Service vessels since 2014. The LÉ Samuel Beckett was commissioned in May 2014, LÉ James Joyce was commissioned in September 2015 and LÉ William Butler Yeats was commissioned into service in October 2016.
In June 2016, a contract for an additional sister ship was agreed, bringing investment in the new ships programme to some €250 million since 2010. The fourth ship, to be named LÉ George Bernard Shaw is scheduled for delivery later this year.
In relation to major equipment projects for the Army a maintenance and upgrade programme has commenced for the current fleet of 80 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) which will seek to ensure viability of the fleet out to 2030. The Mowag APC is a key operational vehicle for overseas service. A contract was agreed in December 2016 with General Dynamics European Land Systems – Mowag, the original manufacturer of the fleet based in Switzerland, for a maintenance and upgrade programme. The value of the contract is €55m exclusive of VAT. The programme of work is being carried out on a phased basis over 5-6 years to ensure the availability of vehicles for operational service during that period.
In addition, a contract for the supply of a small number of armoured logistical vehicles has been awarded to Westward Scania Ireland, due for delivery in 2018 and a number of armoured utility vehicles (24) have recently been procured from Centigon, France. These armoured vehicles, acquired at a combined cost of approx. €11m, will complement the force protection fleet for operational service overseas. Both contracts were awarded on foot of public tender competitions.
In relation to the Air Corps, the White Paper sets out that the Cessna fleet will be replaced with three larger aircraft suitable equipped for Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance tasks. In December 2017, following an open tender competition advertised on the eTenders website and on the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) in accordance with national and EU procurement regulations, a contract was placed with Pilatus Aircraft Ltd at a cost of some €32m for the provision of three PC-12 fixed wing utility aircraft suitable equipped for ISTAR tasks which will replace the Cessna fleet.
Also, a decision was made in 2016 to replace a PC-9M aircraft and this aircraft was delivered from Pilatus Aircraft in Switzerland in July 2017 at a cost of €5m exclusive of VAT. The new aircraft brings the fleet up to 8 and will assist in a required increase in pilot training in the Air Corps.
The acquisition of new equipment and equipment upgrades for the Defence Forces remains a clear focus for me, and the White Paper on Defence recognises that there are several new and or enhanced platforms to be procured. Future equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are being considered in the context of the lifetime of the White Paper on Defence as part of the capability development and equipment planning process.
The National Development Plan provides for a Capital allocation of €541m for Defence for the five year period 2018-2022. This allocation will facilitate the investment necessary to ensure that the Defence Forces have the equipment and infrastructure to deliver on all their roles as set out in the White Paper.
147. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the submission made by his Department to the capital review undertaken by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform which seeks a substantial increase in capital investment, as referred to on page 22 of the ministerial brief published in June 2017, will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15967/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2017, as part of the Mid-Term Review of the Capital Plan, ‘Building on Recovery: Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2016 – 2021’, submissions were made by Departments, including Defence, to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER).
These submissions, including my Department’s, are available publicly on the DPER website at www.per.gov.ie.
148. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the detail of the sale of all lands owned by the Defence Forces in each of the past five years; the location of the lands; the amount received; the date the sale occurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15968/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 1998 my Department has been engaged on an ongoing programme of barracks consolidation and the property portfolio is under continual review. This has resulted in the disposal of a range of properties that were identified as surplus to military requirements. The properties outlined in the following table are those that have been disposed of over the last five years yielding a total of approximately €15 million.
|
Date sale closed |
Location / Property |
Amount received |
|
17/01/2013 |
Military Barracks Cavan |
€1,250,000 |
|
13/09/2013 |
25 Orchard Park, Curragh, Co.Kildare |
€38,010 |
|
20/12/2013 |
RDF property, Milford, Co.Donegal |
€30,000 |
|
23/12/2013 |
RDF property, Macroom, Co.Cork |
€75,000 |
|
10/01/2014 |
RDF property, Dingle, Co.Kerry |
€85,000 |
|
16/01/2014 |
RDF property, Midleton, Co.Cork |
€110,000 |
|
17/01/2014 |
RDF property, Kells, Co.Meath |
€190,000 |
|
17/01/2014 |
RDF property, Roscommon |
€105,000 |
|
21/01/2014 |
RDF property, Kilrush, Co.Clare |
€27,000 |
|
24/01/2014 |
RDF property, Mullins, Co.Donegal |
€37,000 |
|
13/02/2014 |
RDF property, Killarney, Co.Kerry |
€255,000 |
|
13/02/2014 |
RDF property, Manorhamilton, Co.Leitrim |
€62,000 |
|
25/02/2014 |
RDF property, Drogheda, Co.Louth |
€150,000 |
|
08/05/2014 |
RDF property, Fermoy, Co.Cork |
€140,000 |
|
16/05/2014 |
RDF property, Thurles, Co.Tipperary |
€110,000 |
|
24/01/2014 |
RDF property, Swords , Co.Dublin |
€175,000 |
|
06/06/2014 |
RDF property, Longford town |
€81,000 |
|
03/07/2014 |
RDF training camp Lahinch, Co.Clare |
€560,000 |
|
03/07/2014 |
Pumphouse at RDF property training camp, Lahinch, Co.Clare |
€1 |
|
26/08/2014 |
RDF property, Bagenalstown, Co.Carlow |
€50,000 |
|
02/09/2014 |
RDF property, Loughrea, Co.Galway |
€69,500 |
|
21/10/2014 |
RDF property, Dungarvan, Co.Waterford |
€50,000 |
|
04/11/2014 |
part Military barrack, Kildare town |
€341,600 |
|
09/04/2014 |
Electricty sub station at Aiken Barracks, Co.Louth |
€1 |
|
10/11/2014 |
Military barracks and RDF Rockhill, Co.Donegal |
€670,000 |
|
19/11/2014 |
part training camp Knockalisheen, Co. Clare |
€14,000 |
|
20/11/2014 |
part Oranmore Rifle Range for CPO, Co.Galway |
€9,462 |
|
04/02/2015 |
RDF property, Ballinasloe, Co.Galway |
€35,000 |
|
01/04/2015 |
RDF property, Listowel, Co.Kerry |
€76,000 |
|
01/05/2015 |
RDF property, Westport, Co.Mayo |
€50,000 |
|
31/07/2015 |
RDF property, Murrough, Wicklow town |
€30,000 |
|
15/10/2015 |
Military barracks, Clonmel, Co.Tipperary |
€770,000 |
|
22/10/2015 |
Rifle range, Kilpeddar, Co.Wicklow |
€320,000 |
|
18/12/2015 |
part training camp, Knockalisheen, Co.Clare |
€95,000 |
|
18/12/2015 |
Military camp, Lifford, Co.Donegal |
€490,000 |
|
21/01/2016 |
Land adjoining former Military Barracks, Buttevant, Co.Cork |
€1,000 |
|
15/03/2016 |
part Military Barracks, Kildare |
€8,200,000 |
|
26/04/2016 |
Wayleave at military barracks Finner Camp Bundoran |
€1 |
|
25/07/2016 |
Deputy Ranger's Lodge, The Curragh, Co.Kildare |
€190,000 |
|
31/08/2016 |
RDF property, Youghal, Co.Cork |
€5,000 |
|
14/02/2017 |
part training camp Knockalisheen, Co.Clare |
€17,000 |
|
14/02/2017 |
part Military barracks Longford |
€450,000 |
|
01/06/2017 |
Strip of land at boundary of Nenagh Barracks, Co.Tipperary |
€2,000 |
|
01/09/2017 |
part Military barracks Longford |
€2,500 |
|
|
|
€15,413,075 |
149. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the cash escorts involving the Defence Forces undertaken in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; the costs incurred and recouped by the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15970/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraPrimary responsibility for security matters and the internal security of the State rests with the Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána.
Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence is the provision of Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) which, in practice, means to provide assistance and support to An Garda Síochána when requested to do so.
In 2014, the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland and its member banks decided that they no longer required the services of An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces in providing escorts for certain cash transports and in November 2014 this service ceased.
150. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the details of operations of the joint task force on drug interdiction involving the Defence Forces in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15971/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Joint Task Force on Drug Interdiction (JTF) was established in 1993 as a Government measure to improve law enforcement in relation to illegal drug smuggling and consists of members of An Garda Síochána, the Customs Service and the Naval Service.
Overall responsibility for the prevention of drug trafficking rests primarily with the Customs Service of the Revenue Commissioners, while responsibility for the prevention of crime rests primarily with An Garda Síochána. The White Paper on Defence (2015) reaffirms the security role carried out by the Defence Forces in support of this important work.
The Defence Organisation has participated in a number of high profile drug interdiction operations resulting in significant seizures of drugs. For operational and security reasons, the Deputy will appreciate that it is not appropriate for me to disclose details of operations of the JTF involving the Defence Organisation.
151. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the prisoner escort operations involving the Defence Forces in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15972/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraPrimary responsibility for security matters and the internal security of the State rests with the Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána.
Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence is the provision of Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) which, in practice, means to provide assistance and support to An Garda Síochána when requested to do so.
The number of prisoner escort operations in which the Defence Forces were deployed in an ATCP role are 120 in 2016, 159 in 2017 and 27 to date in 2018.
152. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the ministerial air transport services operations undertaken in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15973/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra153. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the details of meetings by the MATS review group; when the review group will publish its report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15974/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 153 together.
The Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS) provides the Government and the President with an independent and flexible air transport service to assist in meeting national and international obligations. The Service has been primarily provided by the Learjet 45 aircraft and information in relation to Ministerial Air Transport is available publicly via a link entitled Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS) on the Department of Defence homepage at www.defence.ie.
Following a Government decision taken in 8 July 2014, an inter-departmental high-level Group was established to review options, in accordance with the public spending code, for the future provision of the Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS). This Review Group comprises representatives from the Department of Defence, the Department of An Taoiseach, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. When the Group has completed its work, I will bring a Report to Government with recommendations on how best to provide a MATS service into the future.
154. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the sales and acquisitions by the Naval Service's vessel replacement programme; the cost of each sale and acquisition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15975/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy priority as Minister with Responsibility for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible so as to enable the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service to carry out their roles as assigned by Government.
The most significant investment of recent years by the Defence Organisation has been on the procurement of the new Off-Shore Patrol Vessels for the Naval Service. This programme has seen the delivery of three new Naval Service vessels since 2014. The LÉ Samuel Beckett was commissioned in May 2014, LÉ James Joyce was commissioned in September 2015 and LÉ William Butler Yeats was commissioned into service in October 2016.
In June 2016, a contract for an additional sister ship was placed with Babcock International, a British company, bringing investment in the new ships programme to some €250 million since 2010. The fourth ship, to be named LÉ George Bernard Shaw, is scheduled for delivery later this year.
Future Naval Service capabilities are being planned as part of the White Paper project planning process which will determine the Defence Organisation's maritime capabilities. The White Paper provides for the replacement of the current Naval Service flagship LÉ Eithne with a multi role vessel (MRV). It is the Government’s intent that this new vessel will provide a flexible and adaptive capability for a wide range of maritime tasks, both at home and overseas. Planning has commenced on this project and it is intended to hold a public tender competition in due course to cover the supply of the MRV. This procurement is, of course, subject to the availability of funding within the overall Defence capital funding envelope. The cost of the MRV will only be known once the tender competition is concluded.
In the context of the impending entry into service of new vessels, three ships older ships LÉ Emer, LÉ Aoife and LÉ Aisling were decommissioned. Extensive engineering surveys and analyses were carried out by the Naval Service on these vessels given their age and service history prior to decommissioning.
LÉ Emer was disposed of in 2013 by way of sale by public auction for €320,000. A slightly different situation arose in 2015 in relation to the disposal of the LÉ Aoife. The original intention was to sell LÉ Aoife by way of public auction in the same manner. However, following a formal expression of interest from the Maltese authorities in acquiring LÉ Aoife, and subsequent discussions between the then Minister for Defence and the Maltese Minister for Home Affairs and National Security, the plan to sell LÉ Aoife was reconsidered. The Maltese authorities requested the ship for their armed forces to patrol the Mediterranean Sea to endeavour to deal with the on-going difficult refugee crisis in the region. The then Minister agreed to the transfer of ownership of LÉ Aoife to the Maltese Armed Forces on humanitarian grounds. While the vessel was no longer viable for use in Irish waters, it was ideally suited to address a pressing short-term requirement for the Maltese authorities. Last year the LÉ Aisling was sold by way of public auction for €110,000.
The investment in modern new vessels will ensure that the operational capabilities of the Naval Service are maintained to the greatest extent. I am satisfied that the current provisions, together with the courses of action in the White Paper, will continue to ensure that the Naval Service, as the State's principal seagoing agency, is suitably equipped to fulfil all roles assigned by Government.
155. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the emergency aeronautical support operations undertaken in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15976/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Air Corps provides a broad range of services in accordance with its primary security role. The Air Corps also undertakes a diverse range of non-security-related tasks on an ‘as available’ basis including the provision of air ambulance services to the Health Service Executive (HSE).
The HSE’s Aeromedical Desk in its National Emergency Operations Centre is responsible for the co-ordination of all health related air transport which comprises emergency aeromedical support and the inter-hospital service. The Air Corps, Irish Coast Guard and private air ambulance operators provide air transport for patients.
The emergency aeromedical support service operates on a daily basis out of Custume Barracks, Athlone. This service operates during daylight hours with particular emphasis on the west of Ireland. The principal objective of the service is to provide rapid treatment and transport of patients by helicopter. Since the commencement of this service in June 2012 the Air Corps has completed over 2,000 missions with 90 missions to-date in 2018.
The Air Corps inter-hospital service operates out of Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel on an “as available” basis and provides emergency air transport for patients requiring organ transplants in the UK; for spinal and serious injuries and illnesses; for neonates requiring immediate medical intervention within Ireland; and for Organ Retrieval Teams within Ireland.
The following table sets out the number of missions undertaken by this service in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018.
|
Year |
Inter-Hospital missions |
|
2016 |
74 |
|
2017 |
46 |
|
2018 (to-date) |
15
|
156. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of the national risk assessment; if it has been sent to the European Commission as specified on page 33 of the ministerial briefing published in June 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15977/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraA National Risk Assessment for Ireland 2017 was submitted to the European Commission on 5th December 2017, after it had been endorsed by the Government Task Force (GTF) on Emergency Planning and subsequently noted by Government. It was forwarded to the European Commission in response to the invitation to all EU Member States (MS) to provide such a National Risk Assessment (NRA) on a cyclical basis as outlined in the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
157. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of the Defence Forces' planned involvement in the German-led battle group in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15978/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe planned Defence Forces contribution to the German-led Battlegroup in 2020 will involve a Special Operations Task Group comprising a Special Operations Forces Platoon, Engineer Special Search Capability, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Capability and a Security Platoon together with staff posts at both the Operational and Force Headquarters.
The total number of Irish Defence Force personnel that will be involved in the German Battlegroup will be about 148. However, this level of resource commitment will only arise should the Battlegroup be called on to undertake an operation and should Ireland agree to participate.
The Government decision of 6 February to participate in the 2020 Battlegroup does not presume any future decision in relation to deploying the Defence Forces on an actual Battlegroup operation. Ireland’s participation in an actual Battlegroup operation would, as always, be subject to the usual “Triple Lock” requirements of a UN Mandate and Government and Dáil approval, as appropriate, in accordance with the Defence Acts. Ireland continues to retain the absolute right to determine for itself, on a case-by-case basis, whether or not it will participate in any particular Battlegroup operation.
The number of personnel involved leading up to and during the standby period, where the Battlegroup has not been mobilised to undertake an operation will be in the region of 10. These personnel, mainly staff officers and NCOs, will be engaged in training and planning activities serving in various appointments and posts, in the Operational and Force Headquarters in Ulm, Germany.
Discussions are ongoing on the Battlegroup Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which is an agreement between the confirmed participants comprising the Battlegroup, namely Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Ireland, Croatia, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. This sets out principles in relation to the operation, deployment and management of the Battlegroup. While the advice to me is that Dáil approval of the MoU is not required, in the interest of transparency, I have decided to proceed on the basis of a voluntary invocation of the procedure under Article 29 of the Constitution and to seek the approval of Dáil Éireann for the MoU once it is finalised.
Ireland’s active engagement in EU Battlegroups demonstrates Ireland’s commitment to the development of EU capabilities in the area of crisis management and contributes to our overall credibility within the Union. It also enhances our capacity to influence the ongoing development and evolution of the rapid response capacity of the EU; in particular, the role Battlegroups can play in reinforcing and acting as a strategic reserve for UN blue-hat operations.
158. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the details on all meetings of the Government task force on emergency planning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15979/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of the meetings of the Government Task Force (GTF) on Emergency Planning since its formation in 2001 are provided in the tabular list included with this reply.
The Government established the GTF as a top level structure which gives policy direction and coordinates emergency planning activities across all Government Departments and public authorities. The GTF, which I Chair, meets every 6-8 weeks and at least 6 times a year. The GTF is comprised of Ministers, senior officials of Government Departments, senior officers of the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána and officials of other key public authorities having a lead or support role in Government and national emergency planning.
Government Task Force on Emergency Planning Meetings (From Establishment 2 October 2001 to 16 April 2018)
|
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
|
18 October |
31 January |
22 January |
18 February |
8 February |
8 February |
14 February |
20 February |
28 January |
|
22 October |
14 February |
26 February |
25 March |
2 March |
9 March |
24 April |
02 April |
29 April |
|
24 October |
7 March |
5 March |
22 April |
26 April |
3 May |
4 July |
08 July |
30 September |
|
26 October |
17 April |
20 March |
25 May |
14 June |
31 May |
17 October |
22 October |
|
|
30 October |
9 July |
3 April |
28 October |
13 July |
19 July |
|
|
|
|
1 November |
3 September |
30 April |
30 November |
20 September |
3 October |
|
|
|
|
6 November |
8 October |
22 July |
|
9 November |
29 November |
|
|
|
|
8 November |
|
23 October |
|
8 December |
|
|
|
|
|
14 November |
|
16 December |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21 November |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29 November |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6 December |
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
13 December |
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
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|
|
|
|
13 Meetings |
7 Meetings |
9 Meetings |
6 Meetings |
8 Meetings |
7 Meetings |
4 Meetings |
4 Meetings |
3 Meetings |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
10 February |
23 February |
5 March |
18 February |
10 February |
26 February |
17 February |
8 March |
21 February |
|
20 May |
15 April |
18 June |
1 May |
11 April |
30 April |
30 June |
24 May |
|
|
24 June |
30 June |
24 September |
26 June |
5 June |
23 July |
22 July |
19 July |
|
|
28 July |
29 September |
9 November |
23 September |
23 July |
8 October |
5 October |
27 September |
|
|
30 September |
9 November |
17 December |
11 November |
2 October |
12 November |
9 November |
8 November |
|
|
14 October |
12 December |
|
16 December |
13 November |
|
14 December |
22 December |
|
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18 December |
|
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6 Meetings |
6 Meetings |
5 meetings |
6 Meetings |
7 Meetings |
5 Meetings |
6 Meetings |
6 Meetings |
1 to date |
159. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the reconvened malaria chemoprophylaxis working group has reported back to him; if he will publish this report if completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15980/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Report of the Working Group on Malaria Chemoprophylaxis has been completed and provided to me.
The report of the Working Group was prepared in the context of current and potential litigation and is therefore legally privileged and will not be published.
The Working Group has made a total of twelve recommendations, which are intended to ensure that the Defence Forces medical policies and practices continually develop in light of best practice. I have accepted these recommendations in principle whilst recognising that certain of these recommendations will need to be further developed to allow for their implementation.
Whilst acknowledging that the Report is legally privileged in the context of litigation, I can confirm that many of its recommendations focus on areas including planning, training and education/information sharing as well as the establishment of a Medical Advisory Group.
As I already indicated, proposals will be further developed in relation to the establishment of this new Medical Advisory Group. This will formalise the provision of on-going expert advice, including external expert medical advice, to the Defence Forces in relation to a range of medical matters including malaria chemoprophylaxis.
I wish to assure the Deputy that the heath and welfare of the men and women of the Defence Forces is a key priority for me and for the Military Authorities.
160. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the running and maintenance costs of Columb Barracks, Mullingar, across headings (details supplied). [16066/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the closure of Columb Barracks in 2012, my Department has explored a number of avenues to try and secure its long term future for the benefit of the local community. Government Departments and other Public Bodies, including Westmeath County Council, have been invited to declare an interest in acquiring the property. However no interest has been expressed from any of these bodies.
In May 2016 officials from my Department attended a public meeting in Mullingar on the future use of the barracks. A local group was subsequently established in order to prepare a feasibility study on community use of the premises. No report from that group has been furnished to my Department.
In April 2017, the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, launched the online Rebuilding Ireland Housing Land Map as a key part of the Rebuilding Ireland initiative. Columb Barracks was included as one of the publicly owned sites having potential for housing development. However, to date there have been no formal approaches under this initiative.
The following is the breakdown of the costs incurred by the Department in running the Barracks in 2017:
|
Light |
Heat |
Security |
Fire Brigade Callouts |
Maintenance |
Pest Control |
Total |
|
|
2017 |
€51,221.38 |
n/a |
€37,608.48 |
€1,181.25 |
n/a |
€654.76 |
€90,665.87 |
As the Barracks is no longer required for military purposes, the current financial and administrative burden resulting from its retention cannot be sustained. Accordingly, my officials are proceeding with its disposal.
161. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if members of the Army Ranger Wing have ever served in Afghanistan; the overseas missions in which members of the unit have served; and if these particular missions have been approved by Dáil Éireann under the triple lock system. [16069/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Army Ranger Wing (ARW) are the Special Operations Forces of the Defence Forces. Personnel from the ARW served in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), Afghanistan from October 2006 to March 2007 and from September 2014 to March 2015.
Members of the ARW have also served in the following missions:
United Nations Operation in Somalia (UNISOM) in 1993;
International Force East Timor (INTERFET) from October 1999 to February 2000;
United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) from February 2000 to June 2000;
United Nations mission in Liberia (UNMIL) from July 2003 to March 2004;
European Union Force (EUFOR) CHAD in 2008;
United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) from 2016 to date.
Specific details of the numbers of the ARW deployed overseas are not released into the public domain for security and operational reasons.
The conditions under which the Defence Forces may participate on overseas peace support operations are set out in the Defence Acts. The conditions, known as the “triple lock”, must be satisfied, that is the operation must be authorised/mandated by the United Nations; it must be approved by the Government; and it must be approved by way of a resolution of Dáil Éireann, where the size of a Defence Forces contribution is more than twelve personnel.
With regard to the above listed missions, Dáil Éireann approval was sought for all of the missions except for Afghanistan where the numbers involved were less than 12 personnel.
