Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 April 2026
183. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence the amount that the Defence Forces spent on purchasing specialist fire appliances for Defence Forces fire services in 2025 and to date in 2026; the ages of the fire appliances that are currently in use, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27454/26]
View answerMy priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, is maintained to the greatest extent possible so as to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government.
Capability priorities (including replacement capabilities as they near end of life) for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered in the context of the capability development planning processes which includes both a rolling Equipment Development Plan (EDP) and a Built Infrastructure Programme.
The current number of Defence Forces (DF) firefighting vehicles numbers is eight (8). There are two old firefighting vehicles that are out of service and will be disposed of accordingly.
The military authorities advise that the make-up of the current operational fleet of firefighting vehicles across the three services Army, Navy, and Air Corps is as follows:
|
Service Branch |
Location |
Operational Fire Appliances |
In Stock |
|
Army |
The Fire Training Centre Engineer Group Defence Forces Training Centre |
1 |
Class B Fire Tender |
|
UNIFIL (Overseas) |
Irish Polish Contingent UNP 2-45 Lebanon |
2 |
Class B (CAFS) Fire Tender Class B Fire Tender |
|
Air Corps |
506 SQN Aviation Firefighting Casement Aerodrome Baldonnel |
5 |
6x6 Fire Tenders (4) 3 of which were purchased in 2021
RIFT 4x4 Scania CAT 3 (1) purchased 2021 |
There was no expenditure on new fire appliances from 2025 to date.
The expected service life of these types of appliances is 15-20 years. I am satisfied that the Defence Forces continue to have the necessary modern and effective range of equipment available to them in order to fulfil all roles assigned to them by Government.
