Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 30: To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which all members of the Defence Forces are issued with the necessary protection in the event of a gas or chemical attack; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32359/06]

Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 55: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of nuclear, biological and chemical suits available to members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32268/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 172: To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which gas masks or other breathing equipment is available to each member of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32560/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 173: To ask the Minister for Defence if full body protection is available to all members of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32561/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 30, 55, 172 and 173 together.

The Garda Síochána have 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 them in cooperation with the Defence Forces.

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 in relation to the provision of Aid to the Civil Power (meaning in practice to assist, when requested, an Garda Síochána), 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.

On the issue of body armour, a tender competition was held in 2005 for the provision of body armour for the individual soldier on operational duties. An order was placed for 6000 units for delivery this year. The delivery of the 6000 units is ongoing at present. The new body armour provides significantly greater protection, comfort and coverage than the old model as well as a doubling of the range of sizes available. A further order for 2000 units has been placed. It is expected that delivery of the 2000 units will also be made by the end of this year.