I am pleased to be here today to facilitate your consideration of the Defence and Army Pensions Estimates for 2002. The combined Estimates are for a total of over €890m. which represents a considerable amount of Exchequer funds.

 This year's Defence Estimate provides for a continuation of the programmes of investment in equipment and infrastructure that were outlined in the White Paper on Defence which was published in 2000. In approving the White Paper, the Government agreed that 100% of the pay savings arising from the reorganisation of the Defence Forces together with 100% of the net proceeds from the sale of barracks and other properties would be reallocated for investment in modern equipment and facilities. That decision has enabled us to fund investment in equipment and infrastructure on a scale which is unprecedented for the Defence Forces. In addition to the €230m. which has been invested since I became Minister in 1997, plans are in place for an additional investment of €320m. in the period to 2010. This is on top of the normal level of expenditure on equipment and infrastructural projects. The investment programme will ensure that Ireland has a modern, sustainable defence organisation with the depth and flexibility to carry out the roles laid down by Government.

 I would like to up-date the Committee in regard to the main equipment procurement projects.

ARMY

As Deputies will be aware, a contract was placed in late 1999 with Mowag of Switzerland for the supply of 40 Piranha Armoured Personnel Carriers. The total value of the contract was about €51m., with payment spread over 5 years, including €13.6m. in the current year. Delivery of the APC's commenced in June 2001 and was completed last week, well ahead of previous expectations. Five of the APCs have been deployed for service with UNMEE in Eritrea where they are performing to a very satisfactory standard.

 There has been significant investment on new vehicles for the Army with over €8m. spent on specialist transport cargo vehicles which have been deployed to KFOR in Kosovo and on new troop carrying vehicles such as 4 by 4's and three quarter ton trucks. Over €13m. has been expended on new tactical VHF radios for the Defence Forces in recent years. An investment package for the Army costing about €30m. over the next three years is underway. The package includes the purchase of Light Infantry Tactical Vehicles, modern effective anti-armour weapons, night vision equipment, engineer equipment and medical field equipment. A pistol replacement programme has also commenced as has the purchase of Steyr rifles for issue to the FCA.

 AIR CORPS

Following the publication of the White Paper, I announced a major investment programme for the Air Corps with €70m. available over three years for the purchase of new aircraft. On 17 January 2002 I authorised the Department to open negotiations with Sikorsky for the supply of the S-92 medium range helicopters for Search and Rescue. One of the tenderers has commenced legal action in connection with the tender competition. While it would not be appropriate for me to comment publicly on the issue at this stage, I will be seeking to resolve any difficulties as soon as possible. Tender documents are being prepared for the acquisition of training aircraft and these will issue shortly.

 NAVAL SERVICE

The second new ship for the Naval Service, LE Niamh, which is a sister ship of LE Roisin, was commissioned into service last September. As with LE Roisin, the new ship cost over €28m. and already is proving to be a tremendous asset to the Naval Service in carrying out its various roles.

 The new equipment programme is a top priority for me. It ensures that the Defence Forces will develop as a world class military organisation in which people are proud to serve. The Army, Air Corps and Naval Service will have the most modern of equipment to carry out their roles at home and overseas.

 Turning to expenditure on building works, the position is that over €41m. is provided this year for capital building works which will bring to €154m. the amount expended on the capital building programme since 1997. In addition, expenditure on non-capital maintenance works during the same period will amount to almost €50m. Major projects recently completed or due to be completed later this year include the following:

 CURRAGH CAMP

New swimming pool and gymnasium at a cost of €8m.

Workshop and Stores at a cost of €3.7m.

NCOs' Messes at a cost of €7m.

Student accommodation at a cost of €3m.

New Transport Technical Stores at a cost of €2.5m.

Ordnance/Transport Schools at a cost of €3.5m.

Technical Clothing Stores/Warehouses at a cost of €7m.

COLLINS BARRACKS, CORK

New Gymnasium at a cost of €2.7m.

New NCOs Mess at a cost of €1.7m.

New Armoury Stores at a cost of €3.3m.

Major projects due to commence this year include:-

• Curragh Camp - Combined Vehicle Workshops.
• Casement Aerodrome - Runway upgrade.
• Dun Ui Mhaoliosa, Galway - Cookhouse/Dining Hall.
• Cathal Brugha Barracks - Upgrade accommodation.
• Coolmoney Camp - General upgrade.
• McKee Barracks - Upgrade accommodation.
• Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick - Upgrade accommodation.

   

  SALES OF PROPERTIES

  In 1998 I announced the closure of six military barracks and I am pleased to say that, with the closure of Clancy Barracks in December last, all of these barracks have now been vacated by the Defence Forces.

   

  • The former Fitzgerald Camp, Fermoy has been sold for €974,000 to Cork County Council for economic development in conjunction with the IDA.
  • Seven acres of the former Devoy Barracks, Naas, are being transferred free of charge to Naas Urban District Council while one acre is being sold to Kildare County Council for €381,000 - all for local community purposes. A contract of sale has been signed to sell the remaining 14 acres, which are zoned for housing, to Naas U.D.C. for €8.9 million.
  • The former military post at Castleblayney has been sold to the North Eastern Health Board for €762,000.
  • The Integrated Action Area Plan, which was commissioned from independent consultants to provide for the future development of the former Murphy Barracks, Ballincollig, has now been adopted by Cork County Council. Following a tender competition, selling agents for the former barracks have recently been appointed and the property will be formally put on the market in the coming weeks.
  • Magee Barracks, Kildare is still providing accommodation for asylum seekers. Also about one acre has been made available to the Local Authority for a temporary halting site. In view of those needs, it has not been possible to arrange for the disposal of the property. However, this matter is being kept under review.
  • During 2001 Clancy Barracks, Dublin was offered for sale by public tender but the offers received were not considered high enough to be accepted. I am hopeful that the property will be sold later this year.

    Agreements have also been reached for the sale of a number of other properties which are surplus to requirements for a total of about €7m. Ninety of the 100 residents of married quarters at Orchard Park in the Curragh have agreed to purchase their quarters. The sale of these quarters will realise in excess of €3.5m.

     The White Paper provides for an organisation of 10,500 in the Permanent Defence Force with the option of up to 250 recruits in training at any one time. The Chief of Staff is currently finalising proposals to restructure the PDF in accordance with the Government's decision on overall numbers.

     Arising from the special study of the Air Corps and the Naval Service undertaken by Price Waterhouse Consultants, and reflecting the policy parameters laid down in the White Paper, the Air Corps and the Naval Service each submitted an Implementation Plan which I approved. The plans, which include new Air Corps and Naval Service organisation structures, and elements of the investment programme which I mentioned earlier, have since been largely implemented.

     The White Paper recognises the importance of the career dimension and provides for the preparation of an updated and very comprehensive Defence Forces integrated personnel management plan to address this and related issues. The Chief of Staff is currently drafting that plan and the process is well advanced. A key feature of the plan will be a continuation of the policy of regular recruitment which is now in place in order to achieve an improved age profile in the Permanent Defence Force.

     As Committee members will no doubt be aware, a major recruitment campaign is at present underway in order to attract men and women of the highest calibre to serve in the Defence Forces - people who are motivated and genuinely interested in an exciting, challenging and rewarding career. I understand that the response to the recruitment campaign is very positive. In 2001 a total of 827 general service recruits were enlisted plus 64 cadets and 37 apprentices. I expect a similar level of recruitment this year.

     In October 2000 I announced my intention to create the Office of Ombudsman for the Defence Forces. Consultations on the scope and role of the Ombudsman took place with the representative associations during 2001 and the Ombudsman Bill was published in January last. The proposed new arrangements will provide an independent statutory entity to which appropriate individual complaints by members of the Defence Forces can be submitted. I am hopeful that agreement can be reached to have the legislation enacted in the current session.

     Substantial progress has been made in preparing an implementation plan for the reorganisation of the Reserve Defence Force. This will be based on the report of the special Steering Group and follows a process of consultation to obtain the views of members of the Reserve in advance of drawing up the implementation plan. In general terms, the blueprint for the new Reserve Defence Force will involve replacing An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil with an Army Reserve consisting of two elements. One element will consist of personnel who will integrate with Permanent Defence Force units. Personnel who opt for a period of integrated service will receive enhanced military training. The larger element will provide the overall Army Reserve organised into three Reserve Brigades. An Slua Muirí will be developed to improve the capacity of members to provide a genuine naval reserve capability.

     It is important that the many traditional strengths of the current Reserve system are preserved - not least the spirit of individual voluntary commitment, close social links with local communities and a good depth and scope as regards nation-wide geographical spread.

     With the restructuring of the Reserve, I am also determined that the training and equipment levels will continue to be enhanced. The provision for training has been increased in each of the past few years and this year's Estimate continues that trend with provision for 110,000 training man days. The corresponding figure for 1999 was 64,000 man days. The aim, over time, is to achieve standardisation and inter-operability between the Permanent Defence Force and the Reserve Defence Force in respect of both dress and personal equipment issued to individuals. To this end I am pleased to say that the Dispersed Pattern Material uniform, comprising a layered system of clothing specially designed to be worn in extremes of climate, which was introduced in 2000 for the PDF, is being issued to the FCA this year. The new uniform will have a positive effect on Reserve morale and self-image.

     Over recent weeks Civil Defence volunteers have played an important role in efforts to combat the effects of flooding in Dublin, Meath and other areas of the country. In the Dublin area alone, over 300 Civil Defence volunteers were engaged in providing rescue services, food and shelter to affected communities. I wish to express the Government's appreciation for the very valuable contribution of Civil Defence members countrywide who, by their voluntary service, provide many forms of assistance to their local communities and I want to acknowledge the special role they played during the foot and mouth crisis last year. As Deputies will be aware the new Civil Defence Bill, 2002, which is being brought through the House by the Minister of State at my Department, Mr. Seamus Brennan, T.D., will establish a dedicated board of management for the future development of Civil Defence at national level, in line with the policy framework as set out in the White Paper.

     There are at present over 500 members of the Defence Forces serving overseas under the auspices of the United Nations, the EU and the OSCE. I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to all those members of the Defence Forces who have served and those who continue to serve on peacekeeping missions abroad. Last year marked the end of a very distinguished and successful chapter in Ireland's record of UN service with the return in November of the final Battalion of the Defence Forces to serve with UNIFIL. Over a period of more than 20 years, the Defence Forces upheld the UN mandate in Lebanon and made a huge contribution to the success of that mission. UNIFIL continues to be downsized and the future configuration of the UN presence in South Lebanon remains to be determined. The question of providing some continuing Defence Forces presence on a modest scale will be considered should a request be received from the U.N. There are currently eleven personnel serving in UNIFIL Headquarters until May 2002.

     On 26 October 2001 Dáil Éireann approved the despatch of a contingent of the Permanent Defence Force for service with the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) for a period of one year from December, 2001. The contingent, which currently comprises 204 personnel, became operational on 11 December, 2001. In addition, in response to separate requests from the UN, twelve members of the Defence Forces were deployed to the mission to take up staff appointments in UNMEE Force HQ in Asmara, Eritrea. I visited our troops in UNMEE last week and I am pleased to report that morale is high and that they are making a valuable contribution to the mission.

     The other significant missions to which Ireland currently contributes personnel are:-

    • The International Security Presence in Kosovo - 105 personnel;
    • the Stabilisation Force in Bosnia and Herzegovia - 56 personnel, and
    • the U.N. Transitional Administration in East Timor - 44 personnel.

      We should not forget the high price that has been paid by personnel of the Defence Forces on active service with the UN. Eighty two members of the Defence Forces have lost their lives while on overseas service, including 45 personnel who died while on duty in Lebanon.

      In regard to defence and security developments within the EU, the Committee will be aware that the EU has been developing its Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) as a means of playing a greater role for peace, stability and security in Europe. The Amsterdam Treaty, as approved by the Irish electorate in May 1998, encompasses a new role for the EU in the areas of humanitarian and rescue tasks, peacekeeping tasks and tasks of combat forces in crisis management, including peacemaking, known as Petersberg Tasks. Based on the provisions of the Maastricht and Amsterdam Treaties, the Union's practical approach in this area is defined as European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP).

       The Helsinki European Council in December 1999 agreed on a voluntary target for establishing capabilities for Petersberg tasks. This target, known as a "Headline Goal", which member states aim to meet by the year 2003, involves the ability to deploy fifty to sixty thousand personnel within sixty days and to sustain that deployment for one year.

       Ireland's commitment of up to 850 members from the Defence Forces to the Headline Goal was authorised from within our existing commitment of 850 personnel to the United Nations Standby Arrangements System. The largest element of the commitment involves a light infantry battalion of up to 750 personnel, along with an Army Ranger Wing platoon of 40, in addition to small numbers in National Support, Headquarters and Observer elements which make up the remainder.

       In Ireland's case, participation in Petersberg Tasks will not affect our long-standing policy of military neutrality. Participation in any potential EU Petersberg operation, in keeping with the Government's stated position in this area, will be considered on a case by case basis and Ireland will only participate in operations authorised by the UN as comprehended by the appropriate legislation, that is, the Defence Act (1954), the Defence (Amendment) No 2 Act (1960) and the Defence (Amendment) Act 1993. Any such participation requires Government and Dáil approval.

       The development of ESDP is taking place in the broader context of Ireland's belief in the primacy of the United Nations as the principal institution in the development of international relations and the promotion of peace and security. The Treaty of Amsterdam takes account both of the specific character of the security and defence policies of member states and the broader European and global security context. The Government, contrary to speculation, remains determined to continue to contribute actively to UN peacekeeping. Our future contribution will, of course, take into account the changing and more complex nature of peacekeeping, which involves additional tasks such as humanitarian assistance, the protection of human rights and civilian police work. Ireland can bring a great deal of expertise to bear on such matters. In particular, we can offer the wide experience we have acquired in the humanitarian and crisis management areas through our participation in UN missions. In this way, we can play a constructive role in promoting peace and stability in Europe.

       

      Partnership for Peace (PfP)

      As it will assist in improving our capacity to participate in peace support operations, Ireland joined Partnership for Peace (PfP) on 1 December, 1999. The areas of interest to Ireland in PfP are set out in the Presentation Document which was approved by Dáil Éireann on 9 November, 1999 and which was presented to the NATO Secretariat upon signature by Ireland of the PfP Framework Document on 1 December, 1999.

       Participation in PfP is entirely voluntary and is based on the principle of self-differentation, that is, a state selects for itself the nature and scope of its participation in PfP activities. On the basis of its Presentation Document, Ireland developed, in consultation with the NATO Secretariat, an Individual Partnership Programme (IPP) for 2001 which set out the level and extent of proposed participation in such areas as co-operation in peacekeeping principles, doctrine, training and exercises and inter-operability in peacekeeping operations. A second IPP which covers the period 2002-2003 has been finalised and seeks to give practical content to the overall priorities identified in the Presentation Document. In accordance with the fundamental principle of self-differentiation, all decisions regarding the content and form of the IPP have been made by Ireland.

      This second Individual Partnership Programme contains a total of 125 activities in the areas of co-operation in peacekeeping principles, doctrine, training and exercises and inter-operability in peacekeeping operations which will be undertaken by the Defence Forces, Civil Defence, civil staffs from the Dept. of Defence, Dept. of Foreign Affairs, Dept. of the Marine and Natural Resources and the Dept. of the Environment and Local Government.

       Ireland sees PfP in general, and the PfP Planning and Review Process (PARP) in particular, as having a significant role to play in co-operation and planning for participation in such tasks. We joined PARP in 2001 and our Partnership Goals have been chosen with a view towards enhancing interoperability with our PfP Partners in such areas as tactics, operational cohesion, logistics and language training.

       In common with other neutral EU Member States who are members of PfP and who also participate in PARP, Ireland views PARP as a mechanism for the purpose of planning in relation to the EU Headline Goal. The aim is to create the conditions in which different contingents can work together efficiently and effectively. Ireland wishes to contribute its UN peacekeeping experience by playing an active part in humanitarian, rescue, peacekeeping and crisis management tasks - the Petersberg Tasks - in support of the European Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy.

       Before I conclude, I would like to up-date the Committee in regard to compensation claims for hearing loss. By 28 February, 2002 a total of 16,103 claims had been received in my Department from current and former members of the Defence Forces in respect of loss of hearing allegedly caused during their military service. 10,561 claims have been disposed of through out-of-court settlements while 254 claims were the subject of court awards. A further 490 claims were either withdrawn by plaintiffs or dismissed by the courts. That leaves a total of 4,798 claims outstanding at the end of last month. New claims are continuing to be received at an average rate of 10 per week.

      The Early Settlement Scheme has continued to operate successfully and the current position is that by the end of February, a total of 3,700 claims had been resolved by direct negotiations with plaintiffs solicitors. The total number of cases finalised in 2001 by means of the Early Settlement Scheme and otherwise was 3,464, by far the highest number settled in any year to date.

       It is the policy of my Department to resolve the vast majority of outstanding claims under the Early Settlement Scheme. I am hopeful that with the co-operation of plaintiffs' solicitors we will continue to make serious inroads into resolving the outstanding claims as quickly as possible.

       To date a total of €232 million has been paid in respect of hearing loss claims including almost €74 million in plaintiffs' legal costs. The average settlement figure has decreased from €38,000 in 1996 to a current level of about €9,500. When plaintiffs' legal costs are included, the cost of settling the outstanding claims currently in hands is estimated at about €71 million.

       Details in regard to individual subheads of both the Defence and Army Pension Estimates have been circulated to the Committee. Accordingly, I do not propose to comment any further on individual subheads at this stage. I will, of course, be pleased to answer any queries from Committee members and to assist in any way I can.