Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. I have been advised by military management that all training, retraining and exercising is carried out. This is a matter for the military. With regard to equipment, I assure the Deputy that over recent years, there has been a huge increase in the budget for investment in equipment in the Air Corps, the Naval Service and the Army. Whether for new ships, planes, the refit of armoured personnel carriers or investment in barracks, there has been huge investment in this area. It is only right and proper that we train and equip our personnel to the highest standards possible and that we are able to match other countries when we are on peacekeeping duties overseas, whether in UNIFIL, UNDOF or whatever, and that we have specialist training and equipment and the capability and capacity to operate in whatever situation arises. It is important that we continue to invest in training and equipment.

Deputy Paul Kehoe: I thank the Deputy. I have been advised by military management that all training retraining and exercising is carried out. This is a matter for the military. With regard to equipment, I assure the Deputy that over recent years there has been a huge increase in the budget rrevofor investment in equipment within the Air Corps, the Naval service and the army whether for new ships, planes, the refit of armoured personnel carriers or investment in barracks, there has been huge investment in this area. It is only right and proper that we do so because we train and equip our personnel to the highest standards possible and we are able to match other countries when we are on peacekeeping duties overseas, whether you live, under or whatever and have specialist training and equipment and that we are able to operate and have the capability and capacity to operate in whatever situation arises. It is important that we continue to invest in training and equipment.

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