Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 243: To ask the Minister for Defence if the age, quality and status of military hardware and equipment is in keeping with best practice in a modern, well equipped defence strategy; his plans to improve or upgrade these areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38413/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The acquisition of new equipment for the Defence Forces continues to be a key focus for the Minister for Defence. I am aware that significant investment has taken place in recent years and I will continue the good work in that regard.

The unprecedented level of expenditure on equipment for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service was made possible by the Government's decision that pay savings arising from the reorganisation of the Defence Forces set out in the White Paper of 2000, along with proceeds from the sale of surplus properties, would be reallocated for investment in modern facilities and equipment.

Investment in new equipment for the Defence Forces is provided for under various subheads of the Defence Vote relating to defensive equipment, mechanical transport, aircraft, ships and naval stores, engineering, communications and information technology equipment, etc. All elements of the Defence Forces, the Army, Air Corps, Naval Service and the Reserve have benefited from the investment in new equipment.

The equipment issued to the Defence Forces is in keeping with the most modern requirements and the highest international standards. The ongoing investment in the Defence Forces will ensure that this remains to be the case.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 244: To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which breathing apparatus, gas masks or other protective equipment are available in adequate supply to meet requirements of all members of the Defence Forces in the event of a gas or chemical terrorist attack; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38414/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The most important defence against any gas or chemical terrorist attack is detection and prevention by the security forces. While the Garda Síochána has the primary responsibility for law and order, one of the roles assigned to the Defence Forces is the provision of aid to the civil power, meaning in practice to assist, when requested, the Garda Síochána. The various components of the Defence Forces are active in this regard, providing such assistance as is appropriate in specific circumstances.

The Defence Forces make contingency plans for a range of scenarios where the State may be at risk. An urgent and detailed review to deal with a range of emergency situations was undertaken by the military authorities following the events of September 11. It included, inter alia, an update of the threat assessment, intensive contacts with other State agencies, a reassessment of operations orders relating to vital installations, alert systems, the Army Ranger wing, ordnance and engineer aspects in terms of explosive ordnance disposal and specialist search and a review of equipment including the need for air defence. All matters arising were addressed and all procedures updated as required.

The Defence Forces have available to them equipment for monitoring and protecting their members in dealing with nuclear, biological or chemical, NBC, threats identified from time to time. They hold an extensive range of modern NBC equipment that meets their current requirements. This range includes approximately 7,000 NBC suits, 1,500 of which were delivered in 2004. A further 1,200 NBC suits will be delivered before the end of the year and 800 NBC suits will be delivered in 2006.

The capacity of the Defence Forces to deal with major emergencies is kept under constant review. Plans and procedures are updated as necessary and such additional equipment as is required to address any perceived deficiencies is acquired on the basis of identified priorities. Training and preparation for such events is also provided for in the Defence Forces annual training plan. The most important defence against any attack is of course vigilance, detection and prevention by the security forces. All the necessary resources of the Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces are deployed to this end.