Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate the Deputy Kehoe and wish him well in his new position as Minister of State in the Department of Defence. He and his officials are very welcome. I have a couple of brief questions. Will the Minister of State give me some brief information on the €23 million for the upgrade and purchase of equipment?

I wish to congratulate everyone involved in the Navy's humanitarian effort in the Mediterranean Sea and put the wonderful work they are doing on the record given the number of lives saved as a result of their intervention. Approximately, what is the cost involved? Is that money reimbursed?

The Minister of State mentioned training. Finner Camp is in my constituency. The previous speaker is quite right about the amount of travelling involved. Members of the Defence Forces have to travel from Ballyshannon to Dublin and various other places. On training in the north west area, are Finner Camp and other barracks such as that in Athlone considered to be in that catchment area? The Minister of State might revert to me at some stage on that question.

On the Air Corps, I live in Strandhill in Co. Sligo. We have a base at Sligo Airport. Wonderful work is being done there and any money that has been spent is money well spent. Lives have been saved and issues resolved by the Naval Service. I see their work on the ground. I know personally those involved and the work they do. I want to put the wonderful work they do to the Minister of State as well as on the record.