Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am not sure of the Deputy's question. I assure him that any savings from pay is redirected to the organisation with the agreement of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The Deputy and I have attended meetings of the defence committee where we discussed Estimates. It goes into Army pensions or is redirected into the organisation to buy ships or otherwise improving infrastructure, such as armoured personnel carriers and aircraft platforms. The purchase of three Pilatus PC-12 aircraft is at an advanced stage and they are due for delivery in early 2020. The Deputy will also be aware that we are also replacing the CASA maritime patrol aircraft.

Pay savings are redirected into the organisation. I listened to some of the Deputy's statements over the summer and he and others were saying we had to hand back big sums of money because of pay savings. He knows well that has never happened.

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