Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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50. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the degree to which the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps continue to be upgraded to the highest international standards in respect of training, transport, air and seagoing craft and technology with a view to ensuring maximum performance ability in all situations and deployments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39803/16]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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My priority as Minister with Responsibility for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible so as to enable the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service to carry out their roles as assigned by Government.

The acquisition of new equipment and equipment upgrades for the Defence Forces remain a clear focus for me, and the White Paper on Defence published in 2015 recognises that there are several new and or enhanced platforms to be procured. Future equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are being considered in the context of the lifetime of the White Paper on Defence as part of the capability development and equipment planning priorities planning process.

There will be continued investment in the development of suitable network enabled communications in order to meet the challenges of an increasingly complex operational environment. This is also a priority area for investment if additional funding, beyond that required to maintain existing capabilities, is made available.

Training standards in the Defence Forces are constantly benchmarked against international best practice. Participation in overseas operations also necessitates multi-lateral training and assessment. This facilitates ongoing review of Defence Forces training methods and standards within an international military context.

I am satisfied that the Defence Forces training techniques and the most modern methods and effective range of equipment which is line with best international standards are available to ensure that personnel are fully equipped to meet their roles.