asked the Minister for Defence the total number of aircraft and the number of fighter aircraft in the Army Air Corps; the manpower of the Army Air Corps, indicating the breakdown between officers and NCOs and ratings; when the last purchases of fighter aircraft and of ammunition for fighter aircraft were made; what types of fighter aircraft are in the Army Air Corps and how many of these are serviceable at present; and the number of pilots and of trainee pilots at present.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Air Corps.
106.
The total number of aircraft in the Air Corps is 29. Nine of these are classified as fighter aircraft comprising six Vampires and three armed Provosts. All nine are serviceable but three of them are at present withdrawn from flying for overhaul.
The last purchase of fighter aircraft and ammunition for them was made in 1961.
The present strength of the Air Corps, excluding reservists called out in August last, is 506 comprising 76 officers, 146 non-commissioned officers and 284 privates.
There are 48 pilots in the Air Corps and there are nine trainee pilots at present in the Military College undergoing a course of general training prior to commencing a course of flying training with the corps.
Could the Minister state if it is possible that any of those nine trainee pilots come from the rank and file of the Air Corps?
The question has no bearing on this.
Could the Minister please state the number of flying hours on operations from Casement airport?
This is not part of the question asked.
I must protest that the Deputy's question has nothing at all to do with flying hours. If the Deputy wants to know about flying hours could I kindly ask him to put down the appropriate question?
Question No. 107.
I grouped those questions together to facilitate the Minister's reply. I did not want to take up too much of the Minister's time. Further arising from the Minister's reply may I ask him——
The Chair must point out to the Deputy that we have moved on the Question No. 107.
Surely I am entitled to ask a supplementary?
The Chair allowed a supplementary question and at this stage would point out again that Question No. 107 has been called.
There are six questions and surely I am entitled to ask one or more supplementary questions? I want to ask the Minister if in the light of the reply which he has given to me, which indicates to the House that the Casement Airport facilities are not being used to their fullest capacity, would he not give consideration to the possibility of this airport being used on a part-time commercial basis for the alleviation of traffic at Dublin Airport?
This does not seem to arise from the question asked.
May I appeal to you, Sir, to instruct Deputy Byrne on the ordinary procedures of this House that supplementary questions must bear some relation, however remote, to the first question.
Be helpful to him.