Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

It is not my information that there are substantial difficulties with maintaining these armoured personnel carriers. Certainly that has not been brought to my attention. I am aware that a detailed evaluation process, including value for money considerations, takes place when equipment of this magnitude is being purchased. That evaluation committee comprises personnel from the relevant section of the Army, whether the Air Corps, the Naval Service or the Permanent Defence Force. It also includes a number of personnel from the Department of Defence. I would be amazed if Deputy Stanton's assertion was correct. As the Deputy will be aware the initial contract was for 40 armoured personnel carriers following which we contracted to purchase an additional 25 armoured personnel carriers. If these problems arose in respect of the initial 40 armoured personnel carriers, surely no properly instructed person involved in the evaluation process would dare recommend the purchase of the additional 25 armoured personnel carriers. That matter would have been brought to the attention of the Minister. I do not recall the Deputy's other question.

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