Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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202. To ask the Minister for Defence when a decision will be made on an application for the use of the restored armoured car Sliabh na mBan for an event associated with the Gathering (details aupplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30867/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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A number of requests are received in my Department each year seeking the participation of the Sliabh na mBan in various events. In considering these requests, a number of factors are taken into account. This vehicle is a national artefact and is of great importance to the Defence Forces and the Irish nation as a whole. Therefore, because of its importance, it is necessary to strike a balance between making the vehicle available to the public on appropriate occasions, and ensuring that it is properly maintained and preserved. In addition, significant Military resources are required for the transportation and security of the vehicle during the time that it is away from Military property. The Military have made arrangements to display Sliabh na mBan in the Curragh Military Museum in an effort to increase its accessibility to members of the public and to reduce the requirement to transport the vehicle to events around the country. I have made enquiries in relation to the particular event that the Deputy has referred to and, unfortunately in this instance it is not possible to make the Sliabh na mBan available for the reasons outlined above.