Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 544: To ask the Minister for Defence if a contract will be granted to an Israeli company (details supplied) for Irish military equipment; and if so, if the humanitarian situation with regard to the Palestinians was a consideration when granting the contract. [4815/10]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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My Department initiated a tender competition in 2009 for the supply of Surveillance and Target Acquisition equipment for four out of a total of twenty seven Light Tactical Armoured Vehicles that are being supplied by BAE Systems in South Africa. Following a detailed evaluation of tenders, the contract for the award of the equipment, with a value of €2.37m inclusive of VAT, was awarded to Elbit Systems Limited in Israel. The four Surveillance and Target Acquisition Suites are required to enhance the capability of the Defence Forces to carry out overseas Peace Support Operations. They will be used as an information-gathering asset and will provide a means to enhance force protection and the safety of Irish troops whilst on such missions.

My Department conducts tender competitions in accordance with EU procurement guidelines. For procurements of defensive equipment in excess of €1million, the Code of Conduct on Defence Procurement is observed, and competitions are advertised by the European Defence Agency as was the case with the tender competition for the Surveillance and Target Acquisition equipment. Tender competitions are held in accordance with the EU Code of Conduct on Export Controls. The tender competitions are open to companies in individual countries in accordance with the terms of all United Nations, Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe and European Union arms embargos or restrictions. Neither Elbit Systems Limited nor Israel have had embargos or restrictions imposed on them by any of these organisations. The Department of Defence is obliged to deal impartially with all companies that are entitled to enter its procurement competitions and must evaluate tenders on the basis of objective criteria set out in the tender documentation.