Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Purchase of Rifles.
- Ammunition for Steyr rifle purchase 6 speeches
The rifle contract did not include ammunition, and the supplier does not manufacture it; ammunition will be bought through competitive tendering as needed. The Minister rejected the allegation that the contract was mishandled.
Robert Molloy, Brendan Daly, Paul Connaughton
- FCA training on the new rifle 2 speeches
A Deputy urged training FCA personnel to use the new weapon as their standard firearm; the Minister undertook to convey the suggestion.
Michael Bell, Brendan Daly
asked the Minister for Defence whether the purchase price of Steyr AUG 5.56mm rifles for the Defence Forces includes ammunition for these weapons.
Comment on this
The contract placed recently by the Department in relation to the purchase of new rifles for the Defence Forces did not provide for the supply of ammunition for the weapons.
Comment on this
The company who supply the rifles do not manufacture ammunition. Supplies of ammunition for weapons will be purchased by competitive tendering as the need arises.
Comment on this
Is it not true that several corporations or firms from various countries who tendered originally for the supply of the rifles were also in a position to supply ammunition? Is it not remarkable that we buy rifles from one place and ammunition from another? Did the Department not make a somewhat botched job of the initial contract for the new rifles the Minister speaks of?
Comment on this
The Minister will reject totally any question of a botched job being made of this issue. The company referred to do not manufacture ammunition. Any ammunition required will be dealt with by the standard procedure of competitive tendering.
Comment on this
Will the Minister recommend to the Minister for Defence that FCA personnel should be trained in the new weapon and, therefore, have just one overall weapon rather than some of the antiquated weapons now being used by that force?