Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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133. To ask the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 80 of 22 April 2015, if he is aware of the moral conflict facing Defence Forces personnel who do not wish to handle or work with Israeli-made equipment and weaponry; if he will have dialogue with these Defence Forces members; if he will address these serious issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21297/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As I outlined to the Deputy in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 80 of 22 April 2015, the primary purpose for the procurement of defensive equipment by the Department of Defence is to maintain the capability of the Irish Defence Forces on overseas Peace Support Operations and to afford the greatest possible force protection to Irish troops whilst on such missions.

I am advised by the military authorities that they are not aware of any member raising concerns regarding the procurement of such equipment from Israel for military use, nor have I been made aware directly of any such concerns.

The principle of competitive tendering for Government contracts is used by the Department of Defence for the acquisition of defensive equipment for the Defence Forces. Central to those procedures is the requirement to allow fair competition between suppliers through the submission of tenders following advertising of the tender competition usually on the e-tenders site in line with the EU Directive on the procurement of Defence and Security equipment.