Written Answers Nos. 51-75
51. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the way in which he has responded to a protected disclosure regarding the untimely deaths of Air Corps personnel made to him in January 2018. [32843/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy has previously raised a number of issues relating to allegations concerning health and safety in the Air Corps. As the Deputy will be aware, I appointed an independent third party to review such allegations made in a number of protected disclosures. I both published the report of the reviewer and sought and received the views of the individuals who made the disclosures.
I am currently considering the matter in light of those views and the additional correspondence referred to by the Deputy. However, in the context of ongoing litigation, a number of legal issues have arisen and legal advice has been sought to inform my consideration of the next steps in the process.
52. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if additional air traffic controllers and pilots will be recruited for the Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32859/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe White Paper on Defence recognises that continuous recruitment is the lifeblood of the Defence Forces. To achieve this there is significant on-going recruitment to ensure that the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) can deliver all operational outputs required by government both at home and overseas.
I can assure the Deputy that recruitment of Air Corps Flying Officer cadets has occurred and will continue to occur. I am advised by the Military Authorities that of the 2,153 applications received for the recent 2018 Officer Cadetships competition, 582 were for the Air Corp. These applications are currently being processed with a view to inducting new Air Corps Cadets in September 2018.
Actions are also underway to increase the number of qualified ATC personnel in the Air Corps. There are a number of personnel currently undertaking ATC training and similar training is planned for 2019. Options to ensure the longer term sustainability of ATC services in Baldonnel are being identified by a joint civil military Air Traffic Control Working Group. In February of this year, four military ATC enlisted personnel were commissioned as officers to fill 1 Captain and 3 Lieutenant ATC vacancies.
In addition to availing of traditional recruitment methods to address vacancies in specialist positions, I have directed my officials to develop proposals for the re-entry of suitably qualified former members of the PDF and for expanding direct entry for suitable posts.
53. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the dates of all the mandatory drug testing that took place at Casement Aerodrome in the past 15 years; the number of personnel tested on each occasion; the number of failed tests; the reason for failure of same; the surname letters used to select those scheduled for testing (details supplied); and the number of personnel scheduled for testing that were not tested. [32925/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe unique and challenging nature of military service requires that military personnel are free from the presence or influence of any controlled drug or substance. The Defence Forces conduct Compulsory Random Drug Testing of all employees with approximately 10% of Defence Forces personnel tested annually.
Compulsory Random Drug Testing (CRDT) commenced in the Defence Forces in 2003. The military authorities have informed me that collection of statistical data on the number of personnel tested in Casement Aerodrome did not commence until 2007.
The following table shows the year of test, the number of personnel tested and the number of failures, carried out at the Air Corps Casement Aerodrome since 2007.
|
Year |
Number Tested |
Failures (Positive Tests) |
|
2007 |
166 |
0 |
|
2008 |
0 |
0 |
|
2009 |
130 |
0 |
|
2010 |
9 |
0 |
|
2011 |
0 |
0 |
|
2012 |
43 |
0 |
|
2013 |
44 |
0 |
|
2014 |
113 |
0 |
|
2015 |
221 |
1 |
|
2016 |
48 |
1 |
|
2017 |
87 |
1 |
|
2018 |
70 |
2 |
|
Total |
931 |
6 |
While information on these individual failures cannot be divulged, there are a number of reasons why a failure may occur:
- the sample provided reveals the presence of a controlled drug or other substance, at a concentration level equal to or greater than the allowable cut off level;
- the sample provided, having been tested by a designated civilian laboratory, reveals evidence of adulteration; or
- an individual refused to have the "B" sample tested on having tested positive on the "A" sample.
The military authorities have advised me that any further information, such as the initial of the surname of the person tested, cannot be divulged as it is seen to be in breach of the Data Protection policy.
In order to preserve the operational integrity of the CRDT process, I have also been advised that details pertaining to randomly selected individuals cannot be released.
54. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if agencies operate and-or investigate on Naval Service ships while they are engaged in Operation Sophia. [33145/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn July 2017, Government and Dáil approval was secured for the deployment of a contingent of the Permanent Defence Force to serve as part of the EU Common Security and Defence Policy naval mission in the Mediterranean, Operation Sophia. An Irish Naval vessel was subsequently deployed to the Mediterranean from October to December 2017. Participation in Operation Sophia represented the first involvement by the Naval Service in a multilateral security operation under a United Nations mandate.
In February 2018, the Government approved a further Naval Service contribution to Operation Sophia. This will involve a total of 2 naval vessels deployed consecutively during the year for a period of up to 30 weeks in total. The deployment will run from mid April to end November.
In accordance with the mandate for the mission, the Naval Service can be involved in surveillance and intelligence gathering operations, search and rescue operations and disposal of migrant boats and Force Protection Operations.
Operation Sophia has a close relationship with other EU organisations and agencies involved in countering human smuggling and trafficking. Cooperation with such organisations and agencies is mainly around the area of the mutual exchange of information which increases Operation Sophia's overall operational awareness. These agencies are not operating or investigating on Irish Naval Service ships deployed in support of Operation Sophia.
55. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of 1916 commemorative medals produced in 2016; the organisations to which members were awarded medals; the number of such medals unallocated and held by the relevant authority; and the costs associated with this. [33178/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the Programme for Government, it was decided that a 1916 Commemorative Medal be awarded to all Defence Forces personnel who were recorded as being in service in the course of 2016. This included all members of the Permanent Defence Force, the Reserve Defence Force, the Chaplaincy Service and the Army Nursing Service.
Separately and at my request, discussions took place between the Department and the Veterans' Organisations, to explore alternative means of recognition of the contribution of veterans to the centenary commemorative events in 1916. I agreed that a plaque would be given to each of IUNVA's 21 posts and to each of ONE's 41 branches.
The Defence Forces inform me that 12,500 medals were procured, of which 29 remain unallocated. There is no specific cost associated with holding unallocated medals.
As Minister with responsibility for Defence, and in recognition of the efforts of Civil Defence volunteers during 2016, I approved the commissioning of a 1916 Commemorative Medal for Civil Defence. This was awarded to members of Civil Defence who were active in 2016.
56. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason retired members of the Defence Forces have not been awarded the 1916 commemorative medal; the costs of awarding the medal to veterans; and if the matter will be reconsidered and medals awarded to veterans. [33179/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government provided for the award of a commemorative medal to all Defence Forces personnel, Permanent and Reserve, who were recorded as being in service in the course of 2016. This was a special acknowledgement from the Government to the members of Óglaigh na hÉireann who served during the centenary year of 2016. The 1916 Centenary Commemorative Medal was awarded as a commemorative medal, personal to an individual’s service in the Defence Forces in the course of 2016.
There are no plans to award this medal to former members of the Defence Forces. Since the foundation of the State many thousands of personnel have served in the Defence Forces. It would not be administratively possible within the resources of my Department to identify and contact all of these persons, decide on eligibility and, in the case of infirm or deceased former members, resolve who should get the medal on their behalf.
At my request however, discussions took place between the Department and the Veterans Associations; the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA), the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (ONE), and the Association of Retired Commissioned Officers (ARCO), to explore alternative means of recognition of the contribution of veterans to the centenary commemorative events in 2016.
Following these discussions it was agreed that a single presentation of a framed medal with an accompanying citation would be made to each of the Veterans Associations, in recognition of the significant contribution of members of the three organisations to the 1916 centenary commemorative events and their service to the State. The medal has a bar with the term Veteran inscribed on it. I agreed that a plaque would be given to each of IUNVA’s 21 Posts and to each of O.N.E.’s 41 Branches. I presented one plaque to each of the three Veterans Associations at last year's Defence Forces Veterans Day which took place in the Defence Forces Training Centre, the Curragh, on Sunday 8th October 2017. The other plaques were presented separately.
Since it would not be administratively possible within the resources of my Department to identify and contact all personnel who have served in the Defence Forces since the foundation of the State, it isn't possible to determine the costs of awarding the medal to veterans.
57. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if funding has been provided for the upgrading of accommodation facilities in the Defence Forces training centre at the Curragh; when works on this project will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33530/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to ensure that the Defence Forces have the capability to deliver on all of the roles assigned by government, my Department is committed to the development and improvement of the physical environment and living conditions in military barracks. This is achieved through the Defence Forces Built Infrastructure Programme. The Programme is designed to modernise and enhance the training, operational and accommodation facilities of the Defence Forces. It is based on operational requirements and is compiled on a priority needs basis by my Department in conjunction with the Military Authorities.
The capital element of the programme focuses mainly on infrastructure projects including the construction of new buildings and the refurbishment of facilities. In any one year, the programme provides for new project starts and for the continuation of building projects already underway.
In addition to the above, the White Paper on Defence has identified the need to develop a rolling five-year capital plan for the provision of future Defence Forces built infrastructure requirements, taking account of the capability priority needs of Defence Forces. This plan is expected to be finalised in the coming months.
At the end of 2017, some €35 million worth of projects were at various stages of implementation, ranging from design to construction. These included some €5.2m for the upgrading of accommodation facilities at the Defence Forces Training Centre including major refurbishment projects such as Blocks B&D, Pearse barracks, which is due to be completed before the end of 2018, and Block 7, Plunkett barracks where works are due to commence on site in Quarter 4 of 2019.
58. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number and name of the groups he met each month to date in 2018 that fall under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33707/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with section 6 of the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015, the list of Ministers and Designated Public Officials in my Department is available on my Department's website. This provides a resource for lobbyists filing a return to the Register of Lobbying.
As it is the responsibility of a lobbyist to both register as such and make returns to the Register, the status under the Act of groups I meet is not requested from them.
59. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the decision not to grant the 1916 Centenary Commemorative Medal to retired military personnel that are members of an organisation (details supplied) in recognition of their service to the State will be reconsidered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33898/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government provided for the award of a commemorative medal to all Defence Forces personnel, Permanent and Reserve, who were recorded as being in service in the course of 2016. This was a special acknowledgement from the Government to the members of Óglaigh na hÉireann who served during the centenary year of 2016. The 1916 Centenary Commemorative Medal was awarded as a commemorative medal, personal to an individual’s service in the Defence Forces in the course of 2016.
There are no plans to award this medal to former members of the Defence Forces. Since the foundation of the State many thousands of personnel have served in the Defence Forces. It would not be administratively possible within the resources of my Department to identify and contact all of these persons, decide on eligibility and, in the case of infirm or deceased former members, resolve who should get the medal on their behalf.
At my request however, discussions took place between the Department and the Veterans Associations; the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA), the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (ONE), and the Association of Retired Commissioned Officers (ARCO), to explore alternative means of recognition of the contribution of veterans to the centenary commemorative events in 2016.
Following these discussions it was agreed that a single presentation of a framed medal with an accompanying citation would be made to each of the Veterans Associations, in recognition of the significant contribution of members of the three organisations to the 1916 centenary commemorative events and their service to the State. The medal has a bar with the term Veteran inscribed on it. I agreed that a plaque would be given to each of IUNVA’s 21 Posts and to each of O.N.E.’s 41 Branches. I presented one plaque to each of the three Veterans Associations at last year's Defence Forces Veterans Day which took place in the Defence Forces Training Centre, the Curragh, on Sunday 8th October 2017. The other plaques were presented separately.
60. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the cost of insurance under headings (details supplied) for his Department and each body under its aegis; the cost of the premium for 2018 or the premium paid in 2018 if the policy year straddles two calendar years; the comparable premium amount paid in 2017; the number of outstanding insurance claims against his Department or bodies under its aegis; the estimated cost of those claims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33996/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraApart from Civil Defence, all other elements of the Defence Organisation are covered under State indemnity through the State Claims Agency.
Civil Defence is unique in that it operates as a partnership between the Department of Defence and local authorities. Civil Defence policy is set down by the Minister for Defence through the Department of Defence. Civil Defence services are delivered at local level by the relevant Local Authority.
The premium paid for insurance for Civil Defence in 2018 is €303,063 which compares with a figure of €264,616 in 2017. The insurance runs from 1 July to 30 June each year and the main policies and costs for 2018 are vehicles, €168,000; public liability, €61,425; marine, €25,559 and employers liability, €15,750.
There are currently five outstanding insurance claims in relation to Civil Defence with an estimated liability of €3.7 million.
61. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his Department's spending on travel and subsistence expenses in 2017 and to date in 2018. [34211/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraExpenditure on travel and subsistence expenses of the civil servants in my Department in 2017 and to date in 2018 is as follows:-
2017 - €656,815.66
2018 (to 18 July) - €325,716.05
62. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his Department's expenditure on photography and other promotional services including the creation of social media content in 2017 and to date in 2018. [34228/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total expenditure by the Department of Defence for photography in 2017 was €590.40.There has been no expenditure on photography to date in 2018.
In 2017 €2,583 was paid for the management of advertisements on Twitter during the Be Winter Ready Campaign. No further costs have been incurred to date in 2018.
63. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his Department's expenditure on public relations in 2017 and to date in 2018. [34245/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not incurred any costs for public relations during the period in question.
64. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his Department's expenditure on external consultancy in 2017 and to date in 2018. [34262/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraExpenditure by my Department on external consultancy in 2017 and to date in 2018 is as follows:
2017 - €168,016.06
2018 (to 18 July) - €47,811.60
65. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the detail of each non-Civil Service appointment that has been made in his Department; the pay grade of each appointment; and the relevant qualifications that each appointee has for their position. [34279/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing my appointment as Minister of State with Responsibility for Defence, I appointed two Special Advisors and two Civilian Drivers, all of whom have been appointed in the capacity of unestablished civil servants.
In accordance with the relevant "Instructions to Personnel Officers - Ministerial Appointments" issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the two Special Advisors were appointed at the grade of Principal Officer (Standard Scale) and the Civilian Drivers at the grade of Clerical Officer. I am satisfied that those appointed have the necessary competencies to discharge their duties.
66. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his Department's expenditure on the purchase of newspapers and other media content, such as, print, digital and other forms in 2017 and to date in 2018. [34296/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy in relation to expenditure on the purchase of newspapers and other media content is as set out in the table.
|
Year |
Newspapers |
Newspaper Content |
Other Media Content |
|
2017 |
€13,674.23 |
€42,143.07 |
€37,258.36 |
|
2018 |
€4,255.77 |
€27,401.22 |
€16,660.12 |
67. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of full-time equivalent press officers employed by his Department and him personally. [34313/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department employs one full time official, who has responsibility for a range of communication and information functions, including the duties of press officer. In addition, and in line with a Government Decision that a Minister of State who regularly attends Cabinet may appoint two Special Advisors, one of the two Special Advisors I have appointed is a Press Advisor.
68. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the contracts awarded by his Department to a company (details supplied) in each of the past three years; the value of these contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34357/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Deparment has no record of awarding any contracts to the company referred to by the Deputy in the past three years.
69. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the measures being considered to improve retention rates among the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34381/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe nature of military service requires that the age and health profile of personnel in the Defence Forces must be appropriately managed to ensure that capability requirements are met. In this context, the Defence Forces have a higher level of turnover than other areas of the public service and this is a feature of military organisations internationally.
Rates of pay and conditions of employment in the Irish public service have traditionally been set by, amongst other things, reference to levels of pay across the various sectors of the Irish public service. Defence Forces pay is increasing in accordance with public sector pay agreements. The focus of these increases is weighted in favour of those on lower pay. Following on from previous pay increases, the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 provides for increases in pay ranging from 6.2% to 7.4% over the lifetime of the Agreement with the focus of the agreement once again being on the lower paid. A 1% increase in annualised salaries due from 1 January 2018 has already been paid to members of the Permanent Defence Force.
In 2017, under my direction, the Department of Defence raised certain recruitment and retention issues as part of the submission to the Public Service Pay Commission. In a further acknowledgement of these issues the Government tasked the Public Service Pay Commission with examining these challenges in the Defence Sector in more detail. The Public Service Pay Commission has commenced this work and has requested detailed information from the Department of Defence. Defence management have forwarded some material and further material will be sent to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in the coming weeks. The Public Service Pay Commission is due to complete this work in the second half of 2018. The findings and proposals arising will be considered at that time.
There is an ongoing programme of HR development within the Defence Organisation, of which part is aimed at ensuring that there is an appropriate work-life balance and addressing matters such as promotion and training and education. These are important factors which contribute to work satisfaction across the Defence Forces.
The measures I have set out address a range of factors and are aimed at ensuring that the Defence Forces retain the capabilities to undertake the roles assigned by Government and remains a valued career choice.
70. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of extra employees to be hired in his Department between now and March 2019 to prepare for a hard Brexit; the specific roles these new employees will take up; the estimated cost of hiring these new employees; the impacts on his Department's expenditure ceilings for 2018 and 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34661/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of a whole of Government approach, the Department of Defence is engaged in forward planning with the other Departments involved in addressing all issues relevant to the UK decision to exit from the EU.
Necessary arrangements have been put in place in my Department to address the potential challenges arising from Brexit with responsibility for Brexit related matters being assigned at Assistant Secretary General. In this regard, I am satisfied that my Department currently has the appropriate staffing complement in terms of both numbers and expertise to deal with issues that may arise in the context of Brexit. In this regard there are no plans at present to hire additional staff in the timeline outlined by the Deputy specifically to work on Brexit matters.
The staffing needs of my Department are kept under constant review in the context of the prudent management of its pay allocation and I can assure the Deputy that this will continue to be the case.
71. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of unfilled vacancies in his Department; the time these vacancies have been open from when the roles were first advertised to date for each vacancy or group of vacancies; the number of unfilled vacancies in each agency under his remit; the time these vacancies have been open from when the roles were first advertised to date for each vacancy or group of vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34679/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current civil service vacancies in my Department are set out in the following table. In respect of each of these posts set out in this table a request was made to Public Appointments Service (PAS) in Quarter 2 2018 for replacements to be assigned. My officials are in regular contact with PAS in this regard and I am satisfied that every effort is being made to ensure the posts are filled at the earliest opportunity.
|
Grade |
Number |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
2 |
|
Executive Officer |
3 |
|
Clerical Officer |
2 |
72. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the details of the EU directives that fall under his remit not yet transposed into law; the deadline imposed by the EU for the transposition of same; and the estimated date for the transposition of those directives into law. [34707/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no EU Directives that fall under the remit of my Department that have yet to be transposed into law.
73. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to a person (details supplied) who has served as an Army Ranger for the past seven years and who has now been accepted as a member of An Garda Síochána; and if the fee for leaving the Defence Forces can be waived in this instance in consideration of the fact that this person is joining a fraternal peacekeeping State agency. [35109/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the provisions of Defence Force Regulation (DFR) A10, the amount payable in respect of discharge by purchase must be paid before exiting the Permanent Defence Force. Para 61 (ii) of DFR A10 makes provision for a reduction in the amount payable for discharge by purchase, but in specific circumstances. The DFR does not provide for a full waiver.
74. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the details of proposals (details supplied) over the 2011 to 2018 period on an annual basis in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35139/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department published the following legislative proposals between 2011 and 2018:
Defence (Amendment) Act 2011;
Civil Defence Act 2012;
Defence Forces (Second World War Amnesty and Immunity) Act 2012;
Defence (Amendment) Act 2015.
In general, legislation emanating from the Department of Defence is focused on Defence issues only and does not apply to the ordinary citizen or business. For this reason, it was considered that a formal regulatory impact assessment was not needed in relation to the legislative proposals published by my Department since 2011. Notwithstanding this, the Department applies the principles set out in the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) Guidelines issued by the Department of the Taoiseach where appropriate.
75. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the breakdown by project for the capital allocation of €77 million in 2018 to his Department; the breakdown by project for the proposed allocation of €106 million in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35275/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Development Plan 2018 to 2027 provides €541 million in capital funding for Defence for the period 2018 – 2022. This level of capital funding will allow the Defence Organisation to undertake a programme of sustained equipment replacement and infrastructural development across the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as identified and prioritised in the Defence White Paper and ensure that the Defence Forces have the capabilities necessary to deliver on all the roles assigned by Government.
The capital amounts allocated under the plan for 2018 and 2019, €77m and €106m respectively, will mainly be expended on substantial investment in multi-annual programmes of equipment replacement and infrastructure development. The following projects are currently underway:
- Army Mowag APC armoured fleet upgrade – Overall cost is €55m, exclusive of VAT, with €7.5m due in 2018 and €10m in 2019;
- Air Corps Cessna Aircraft replacement - Overall cost is €40.5m, inclusive of VAT, with €12m due in 2018 and €13m in 2019;
- Naval vessel replacement programme – Final payment of €3.5m (incl. VAT) due in 2018 for fourth ship, to be named L.É. George Bernard Shaw;
- Virtual Desktop Architecture (VDA) project for Defence Forces - Overall cost of is €12.8m (incl. VAT) with €2.56m due in 2018 and €1m in 2019;
- Modernisation and renewal of barrack infrastructure - €14.2m of capital funding has been allocated in the 2018 budget for Defence Forces built infrastructure, with an increased allocation intended for 2019.
The balance of the capital allocations will be expended on various smaller equipment renewal and replacement programmes, including force protection, transport, communications and information technology, weapons and ammunition systems.
Planned projects due to be delivered under the National Development Plan but yet to commence include:
- CASA Maritime Patrol Aircraft replacement;
- Naval Service multi-role vessel acquisition;
- Mid-life refit of the Naval Service vessels LÉ Niamh and LÉ Roisín;
- Light Tactical Armoured Vehicles;
- Further equipment renewal and replacement programmes along with investment in further force protection, transport, communications and information technology, weapons and ammunition systems;
- Further modernisation and renewal of barrack infrastructure, across a number of military locations.
As these projects are in the planning and appraisal stages, it is not possible to provide costings or timelines until these processes are concluded.
In addition, during the lifetime of the National Development Plan, other equipment replacement and infrastructural development projects will be advanced across the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service. These projects will be implemented on the basis of identified requirements and priorities, as set out in the White Paper.
