Written answers

Tuesday, 28 March 2006

Department of Defence

Defence Forces Equipment

11:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 513: To ask the Minister for Defence the degree to which Air Corps aeroplanes, equipment and training schedules are in accord with international best practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12262/06]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 514: To ask the Minister for Defence the degree to which vessels training and equipment available to the Naval Service is in keeping with best international practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12263/06]

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 513 and 514 together.

I am very satisfied that military training techniques and equipment, operated by the Air Corps and the Naval Service are up to date in all respects. Air Corps and Naval Service training plans are structured to provide the capabilities needed to execute the roles assigned to them under the White Paper on Defence. Priority is given to operational tasks in Ireland. However, both services also keep abreast of developments at international level by regular attendance at training courses and seminars at home and abroad. This enables them to adjust their training schedules if necessary in order to maintain standards.

The unprecedented level of expenditure for the Army, the Air Corps and the 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, with proceeds from the sale of surplus properties, would be reallocated for investment in modern facilities and equipment. Investment in new equipment for the Air Corps and Naval Service is provided for under certain subheads of the Department of Defence Vote relating to aircraft, ships and naval stores. Both services have benefited from the investment in new equipment.

The Air Corps fleet has been augmented in recent years by the addition of the following aircraft: eight Pilatus PC9 aircraft for pilot training and two Eurocopter EC 135 light utility helicopters for pilot training, and an order was placed in 2004 for the purchase of four Augusta AB139 utility helicopters for troop transport. Two of these will be delivered in 2006 and the remaining two in 2007. The Naval Service operates a fleet of eight vessels for fishery protection purposes. As each vessel nears the end of its serviceable life, arrangements are made to replace it with a new vessel. This ensures that the Naval Service has the capability at all stages to perform its tasks. The equipment issued to the Air Corps and the Naval Service 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 the case.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 516: To ask the Minister for Defence if gas masks or other personal protection are available to the Defence Forces in the event of a terrorist attack; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12265/06]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 517: To ask the Minister for Defence the degree to which the Defence Forces have been issued with the required clothing or breathing apparatus to meet their needs in the event of a gas or chemical attack; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12266/06]

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 516 and 517 together.

The Garda Siochána has primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State. The potential threats to the State arising from terrorism are continuously monitored by the Garda in co-operation with the Defence Forces. It is important that all prudent precautions are taken and that matters are kept under continuous review. The objective of the Government is to ensure that all State bodies can react quickly and efficiently to any large-scale emergency irrespective of whether it arises from an act of terrorism or from a man made or natural disaster. The key issue in respect of responding to any terrorist attack is to have in place appropriate and effective plans to respond to the impact of that attack and to protect the civilian population.

The Government task force on emergency planning has worked since it was set up in 2001 to co-ordinate emergency planning and response arrangements across those Departments that lead and support the State's response in an emergency. The focus of this work continues to be on making the necessary arrangements to, at best, prevent or, at least, minimise the risks from terrorist activities, ensuring that the protection available to the Irish people is maximised, putting mechanisms in place to support the response agencies and providing coordination for maximum efficiency and effectiveness.

The Defence Forces make contingency plans for a range of scenarios where the security of the State may be at risk. In addition, the Defence Forces have contingency plans in place regarding the provision of aid to the civil power, meaning in practice to assist, when requested, the Garda Siochána, and the provision of assistance to the civil authorities for a range of emergency situations. 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 9,500 NBC suits, of which 800 were delivered in January 2006. In addition, the Defence Forces has sufficient stock of respirators for each individual soldier. They also have 98 of the most technologically up to date chemical agent monitors and Defence Forces personnel have been trained on their operation. Other equipment on hands includes biological agent detector and screening kits, group decontamination equipment and personal decontamination equipment. The requirement for additional NBC equipment is kept under continuous review by the Defence Forces. A programme for the purchase of NBC equipment is ongoing and whatever equipment deemed necessary is purchased expeditiously to meet the changing requirements.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 518: To ask the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied that military equipment and hardware currently available to members of the Defence Forces is in keeping with best international practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12267/06]

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie 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 me. I am aware that significant investment has taken place in recent years and I intend to continue the good work in that regard. The unprecedented level of expenditure on equipment for the Army, the Air Corps and the 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, 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 Department of 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, the Air Corps, the Naval Service and the Reserve Defence Force — 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 the case.

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