Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 466: To ask the Minister for Defence if the snowmobiles obtained by his Department during the severe winter of 1981-82 were donated; if so, by whom; if these snowmobiles were subsequently written-off; if so, if they were written-off due to lack of maintenance; if not, the reason for the writing-off of such valuable pieces of equipment; his views on whether snowmobiles would be as necessary during a severe winter as they were in the winter of 1981-82; the steps which have been taken by his Department to replace the original fleet of snowmobiles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38943/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised that six snowmobiles obtained by the Department of Defence during 1981-82 were donated by the Canadian Government via Bombardier Aerospace. I understand that the snowmobiles were written off in 2000 due to the fact that they were obsolete and uneconomic to repair. The Defence Forces have no plans to replace the snowmobiles.