Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Regarding equipment, it was the policy of the previous Government and the current Government, in the context of the current financial difficulties, that substantial portions of the funding raised from the sale of barracks and other properties held by the Defence Forces were to be utilised in the provision of resources and equipment to the Defence Forces. The Defence Forces' resources and equipment are particularly good and appropriate to meet all of the various operational requirements that arise at home and abroad. Property can be sold to create value but a point will come when that is not the case. It is a matter I will keep under continual review to ensure we have the funding required from all appropriate and relevant sources. It is correct in the current financial climate to use our resources wisely and carefully. Where we can access funding in a manner that does not impose additional expenditure on taxpayers, we should do so. In the past few days, a Defence Forces property was sold and raised €105,000, substantially in excess of the reserve price of €38,000.

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