Written answers

Wednesday, 25 February 2009

Department of Defence

Defence Forces Equipment

11:00 pm

Photo of Mary UptonMary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 193: To ask the Minister for Defence the military equipment Ireland purchases from Israel; the value of these contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7820/09]

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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In general, tender competitions are conducted by my Department in accordance with the EU procurement guidelines. For procurements of defensive equipment in excess of €1million, the European Defence Agency (EDA) Code of Conduct on Defence Procurement is observed and competitions are advertised on the EDA Electronic Bulletin Board. Tender competitions are held in accordance with the EU Code of Conduct on Export Controls. Accordingly, competitions are open to any individual or country in accordance with the terms of all UN, OSCE and EU arms embargoes or restrictions. To properly follow these guidelines and codes, the Department must deal impartially with all companies that are entitled to enter its procurement competitions and must evaluate tenders on the basis of objective criteria.

A number of Israeli companies have won orders for defensive equipment in recent years as a result of tender competitions. Since 2005, the Department has purchased small arms ammunition, X-Ray equipment, helmets, an Artillery Fire Control System and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, commonly referred to as UAVs from Israeli suppliers. The total value of defensive equipment acquired from Israeli companies since 2005 is in the region of €9.2m, inclusive of VAT. In each case, the contract was awarded by competition, conducted impartially in compliance with the codes and guidelines set out above, on the basis that the company concerned had submitted the best tender.

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