Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There has been. Even under the constraints of recent budgets we have seen a steady upgrading of equipment to ensure our peacekeepers abroad are safe. There has been a fleet replacement programme in the Irish Naval Service, which essentially will see three new ships in three years, namely, the LE Samuel Beckett, the LE James Joyce, which will arrive in the coming weeks, and a third ship, which will arrive next year, although probably not in time for this Government. The commitment has been made and the construction project is well under way. The third boat will be very similar to the LE James Joyceand the LE Samuel Beckett. We are investing and will continue to do so. Our deployment overseas in missions, such as UNDOF on the Golan Heights, is because of the training, skill sets, expertise, professionalism and equipment, such as armoured vehicles and Mowags, to which the Irish Defence Forces have access.

We are well trained and well equipped but we need to keep upgrading our equipment to ensure our troops remain safe and effective. It is my job to make sure that happens.

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