Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 449: To ask the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied that adequate and modern safety equipment is available to all members of the Defence Forces in accordance with current or future best practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18161/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 452: To ask the Minister for Defence if all modern training technology and equipment is available to the Army, Navy and Air Corps individually in the context of participation in overseas deployments under the aegis of the EU and UN; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18164/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 454: To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which technology and equipment for the Air Corps has been upgraded in line with modern military requirements with a view to benefiting to the maximum possible extent from service overseas with the EU and UN; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18166/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 455: To ask the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied that all modern technology and equipment for training and for general use is currently being made available to the Defence Forces in the context of overseas deployment or regular use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18167/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Number 449, 452, 454 and 455 together.

As Minister for Defence, the health and safety of Defence Forces personnel and the provision of adequate training and equipment are of utmost importance to me. The Defence Forces complies with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007. All safety equipment is monitored and inspected regularly in accordance with regulations. Safety equipment is replaced as required and all new procurements comply with Irish and European standards. Safety equipment is available to all members of the Defence Forces who are identified as requiring this equipment. In addition to internal monitoring, the State Claims Agency conducts annual audits to OHSAS 18001: 2007 standard, on all Formation Headquarters and twelve randomly selected Units throughout the Defence Forces annually. This audit includes the inspection and availability of modern safety equipment and to date the Defence Forces has complied with the requirements of the State Claims Agency.

In terms of the other equipment types procured for use by the Defence Forces, contract documentation submitted by suppliers must include independent certification of compliance with any Irish, UK or other international standards claimed for the products, materials or services being supplied. Modern technology and equipment for training is made available to the Defence Forces at home and on overseas deployment. Examples are as follows:

The Close Reconnaissance Vehicle. This vehicle has an integrated autonomous vehicle mounted system for remote operation of medium machine guns and automatic grenade launchers. The system is designed to ensure optimal personnel safety and operational capabilities.

Climate controlled containers were procured to provide appropriate and safe workshops, weapon and equipment stores and also specialised storage containers for overseas deployments, including Chad.

Integrated Protected Load Carrying System including body armour, helmets, rucksacks and battle vests.

Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) protective suits.

The Defence Forces is heavily involved in interoperability training and technical developments in coordination with similar UN and EU partners. For example, the Defence Forces took part in Exercise Illuminated Summer in Autumn 2008, as part of the main interoperability exercise, during Ireland's membership of the Nordic Battlegroup 2008. This involved training with Swedish, Finnish, Norwegian and Estonian partners. Irish troops have formed part of joint units on UN and EU Peace Support Operations (PSO) with Swedish partners in Liberia, Kosovo and CHAD. In addition the Defence Force partakes regularly in joint operations and training exercises in theatre on PSO missions.

As regards the Air Corps, a full fleet modernisation programme has been completed in the recent years, which has replaced the three older type of helicopters with two modern types, namely the EC135 and AW139. Both helicopter types are capable of being equipped with air ambulance equipment and stretchers with which they support the Service Level Agreement between the Department of Defence and the HSE. The AW139, the larger of the two types, can also be equipped with an alternative casualty evacuation kit which can transport four injured persons as well as a medical crew. These equipments allow the most up-to-date service to be offered to Irish troops.

These helicopters are equipped with rescue hoists also, so casualty extraction from remote areas with no landing areas can also be effected safely and efficiently. This hoist equipment is also state of the art and represents the leading edge of technology in this field. I am satisfied that each of the services, Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are fully equipped to meet the roles assigned to them by Government. In this regard, as the Deputy will be aware neither Naval Service nor Air Corps assets are deployed on overseas missions and as such the question of the suitability or otherwise of the assets for EU or UN deployments does not arise.