Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The sum of €23 million has been provided for equipment, and €5 million has been provided for the acquisition of ammunition types needed to maintain stocks, training and overseas requirements through the year in 2016. There is an ongoing upgrading of the Department of Defence. We had procurement for a number of missiles and recently upgraded the surface-to-air missile system. We have also had procurement of armoured logistic vehicles and armoured utility vehicles, which are required for force protection overseas. There were other small bits and pieces too for the update of equipment in the allocation.

I will take back to the Department the Deputy's views on the Naval Service's involvement in the Mediterranean Sea. We do not get reimbursed for the mission; it is a cost to the Exchequer. However, there is no real additional cost except for the fuel to travel from here to the Mediterranean Sea and to patrol the mission area. If the ship was at home, it would be involved in sea fisheries protection or some other operation.

The involvement of the Air Corps in the ambulance service is hugely important. The service is provided through the Defence Forces by the Department of Defence and the HSE. It is under review, but I very much support the service as I have heard many potentially tragic stories of lives that have been saved. I will take the Deputy's views on that back to the Department as well.