Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 233: To ask the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied that the extent of military hardware available to Irish troops on all overseas missions at present is adequate to meet military as well as health and safety requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20542/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, significant investment has been made in Defence Forces equipment in recent years to provide them with the most modern equipment to undertake tasks assigned to them by Government. The equipment issued to the Defence Forces is in keeping with the most modern requirements from the health and safety perspective. Ongoing investment in the Defence Forces will ensure that this remains to be the case and will continue to be a key focus for me as Minister for Defence.

The net result is that Defence Forces personnel serving both at home and on overseas missions are equipped with the most modern and effective equipment, including body armour and breathing apparatus. This equipment enables troops to carry out the mission assigned, as well as providing the required protection specific to the mission. In the case of the EU mission to Chad and the Central African Republic, the Defence Forces have deployed a full range of Force Protection assets. This equipment includes twenty-two Mowag APCs, armoured vehicles and indirect fire capabilities.

Ongoing threat assessments are carried out in mission areas and a continuous review process on both personal equipment and force assets is in place to ensure that Defence Forces personnel are appropriately equipped to fulfil their roles in specific missions.