Written answers

Wednesday, 18 February 2015

Department of Defence

Defence Forces Equipment

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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106. To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which his Department continues to monitor the vintage of Army equipment and vehicles, with particular reference to the need to ensure adequate and normal replacement and reliability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7343/15]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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109. To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which his Department receives requests for upgrading military equipment, and will accede to same throughout the Defence Forces, in the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7346/15]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 109 together.

I am satisfied that the level of resources available to the Defence Forces, including training resources and equipment, enables them to carry out their roles, both at home and overseas. The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria. The recent incidents involving Irish troops in UNDOF are testament to the type of the equipment available to the Defence Forces in that mission area.

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 at a senior level in my Department and in the Defence Forces through their joint participation in the High Level Planning and Procurement Group. This Group is charged with identifying equipment requirements and agreeing on a procurement programme to provide the Defence Forces with the type and quantities of equipment necessary to carry out their assigned duties.

Given the ongoing budgetary challenges, the continued application of a robust evaluation process by the Defence Organisation in relation to equipment purchasing and maintenance/upgrade programmes during 2014 has ensured that the Defence Forces continue to have access to modern equipment. Ongoing analysis of defence equipment expenditure has ensured that this expenditure is prioritised and explicitly linked to capability priorities. A particular focus is maintained in ensuring that modern and effective equipment is available for overseas operations as is the case with the UNIFIL deployment in Lebanon and the UNDOF deployment in Syria.

In conclusion, I can assure the Deputy that I am satisfied that the Defence Forces are adequately equipped and trained to meet the many demands and tasks Government has assigned to them including service overseas.

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