Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The total realised to date from the sale of surplus property has been approximately €85 million. This, together with income of €18 million from the sale of other smaller military properties and married quarters, has been reinvested in providing equipment and infrastructure for the Defence Forces. The moneys thus received in respect of the sale of properties have been returned to the Defence Forces as appropriations-in-aid. The increased level of appropriations-in-aid has allowed the retention of funding levels for re-equipment. Some of the major programmes include the acquisition of light tactical armoured vehicles, MOWAG armoured personnel carriers, two EC 135 helicopters, six AW 139 helicopters and two new offshore patrol vessels. This approach is in line with the 2000 White Paper on Defence, which stated that 100% of the revenue arising from the sale of property surplus to military requirements must be invested in equipment and infrastructure for the Defence Forces.

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