Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 319: To ask the Minister for Defence the position in relation to Army ambulances; the reason there are delimiters installed in their ambulances which prevent them from reaching allowable motorway speed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17951/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Defence Forces maintain a small ambulance fleet to meet their own needs. These ambulances are primarily used to transfer Defence Forces patients to and between hospitals and to attend Risk Training Exercises. Risk Training exercises would include operational exercises, Artillery shoots, Infantry Support Weapons shoots and Live Battle practices. In late 2005/early 2006 there was an investment of €850,000 on 6 road ambulances by the Defence Forces to replace an aging fleet.

There are a total of 17 Defence Forces ambulances in service at present 16 of which are deployed across the country in the various brigades and 1 which is overseas, in Kosovo. One of these vehicles is located at the Defence Forces Training Centre at the Curragh Camp.

The maximum speed permitted in the 6 new Army Ambulances is 90 KPH. The vehicle is "governed" by the manufacturers (Ford Motor Company) to prevent exceeding this limit. In order to implement this restriction a speed limiter, also known as a "governor", may be fitted to the vehicle. There is a legal requirement that such governors are fitted, on import, as the vehicles exceed 3,500kg. The Defence Forces decided when these ambulances were delivered in late 2005 not to interfere with the governor. The vehicle is designed for a gross vehicle weight of 4200kg and taking into consideration the routine use of such vehicles for military purposes it was felt that 90 KPH was adequate. Such "governors" are not on the older ambulances since they are lighter in weight and only require a Class A driving licence. The new ambulances are much heavier in weight and require a Truck Drivers Licence.

While these ambulances are for Defence Forces needs and are configured accordingly, arrangements exist between the HSE and the military authorities in three locations nationwide whereby the HSE receives very occasional support from the Defence Forces ambulance units. These areas are Finner Camp, Co. Donegal, the Defence Forces Training Centre, the Curragh, Co. Kildare and Custume Military Barracks, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. Ambulances from these locations are used on a very occasional basis to meet additional demands on HSE services. The Defence Forces ambulance crews are under the direct control of the HSE ambulance service during their deployment in support of the HSE ambulance service.