Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

As I said in response to an earlier question, over €87 million has been spent already from moneys received from the sale of barracks closed and sold under the Fianna Fáil Administration. That money was ring-fenced and any moneys received from future sales of barracks will continue to be ring-fenced to the Defence Forces Vote. With regard to how the money will be spent this year, some €2 million will be spent on purchasing force protection equipment to further enhance capability to protect personnel, some €3 million has been allocated for an upgrade and modification of 6,000 current in-service rifles. The commencement of the rifle enhancement programme is a priority and it will run for from two to three years. Some €16 million has been allocated this year for the continued acquisition of various categories of ammunition needed to maintain stocks, given the training and overseas requirements. For operational and security reasons, it is not appropriate to specify in any further detail what it is intended to purchase in the coming months. However, some €14.5 million has been allocated in 2012 for payment to the Naval Service and to Babcock Marine under the contract for the provision of two new ships for the service. The first ship is scheduled for delivery in 2014 and the second a year later.

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