Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

Based on GNP figures received from the Central Statistics Office gross expenditure on defence was 1.3% in 1994 and not 1.6% as indicated in the Deputy's question. The level of expenditure on defence in any particular country is influenced by a variety of factors, including the country's political and security environment, its history, demography and economy.

There has been an unprecedented level of expenditure on infrastructure and equipment for the Defence Forces in recent years. This was made possible by the Government's decision that pay savings arising from the re-organisation of the Defence Forces set out in the White Paper of 2000, along with proceeds from the sale of surplus properties, would be reallocated for investment in modern facilities and equipment. More than €174 million was spent on the capital investment programme for the upgrade of barracks, accommodation and other facilities between 1997 and end of 2003. This year's Defence Estimate includes a further €19 million for such capital works.

Significant progress has also been made in recent years with the acquisition of modern equipment for the Army, Air Corps and the Naval Service, details of which I will provide in reply to a later question.

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