Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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77. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the value of all contracts for goods or services purchased by the Defence Forces from Israel and Israeli-based firms over the past two years; to provide the tendering notice publication number for the relevant tender competitions; the steps that were taken to ensure for Israeli companies that at all steps in the supply chain were not outside of the green line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26618/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised that there have been no contracts for goods or services awarded to Israeli based firms in the past two years.

The value of goods or services purchased by the Defence Forces from Israel and Israeli-based firms in respect of existing contracts over the past two years is €1,054,480.

A small number of Israeli companies have won orders for defensive equipment in recent years as a result of tender competitions. This is not a new development. In each case, the contract was awarded by tender competition, on the basis that the company concerned had submitted the most economically advantageous tender.

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 procurement procedures are EU law requirements that have to be complied with. This is to ensure fair competition, transparency and equal treatment between suppliers through the advertising of the tender competition on the e-Tenders or the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) tender platforms.

Such tender competitions are open to any company or country subject to the terms of all UN, OSCE and EU arms embargos or restrictions. There are no such restrictions or embargos in place on Israel or Israeli companies. The Department of Defence carries out its procurement functions in accordance with the legal rules in place and is obliged to follow the established procurement principles for the selection of economic operators with regard to the award of contracts.

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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78. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of personnel for whom the Defence Forces currently provide accommodation, broken down by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26619/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Given the granular nature of the information required, it could not be collated in the time frame given and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy when available.