Written answers

Wednesday, 14 January 2015

Department of Defence

Defence Forces Expenditure

Photo of Paul MurphyPaul Murphy (Dublin South West, Socialist Party)
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361. To ask the Minister for Defence the resources the Government plans to put into the funding of new equipment and capabilities for the Defence Forces; and the upgrades that are necessary to continue to participate in UN, EU battle group and NATO PfP missions. [1231/15]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The acquisition of new equipment for the Defence Forces remains a focus for me as Minister for Defence and is a matter that is kept under constant review. The budgetary situation will continue to dictate the level of funding available for new equipment, training and equipment upgrades for the organisation.

The development of a new White Paper on Defence is underway. The White Paper will provide the future policy framework for Defence and Defence provision for the next decade. A key part of the development of the White Paper is the consideration of potential challenges arising in our future defence and security environment.

Future capability requirements including, but not limited to, those in relation to overseas peace support missions including the UN, requirements in relation to EU Battlegroups and PfP, are being considered in the drafting of the new White Paper on Defence. This ongoing work on the White Paper will underpin recommendations regarding future defence provisions for military equipment to be deployed at home and overseas.

For the present, decisions on new equipment, including upgrades of equipment currently in operational use, will continue to be made on a strictly prioritised basis within a restricted budget with a view to maintaining the capability of all roles assigned by Government to the Defence Forces.

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