asked the Minister for Defence if his Department intends to purchase any air-craft for the army air corps in the near future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Aircraft.
101.
Arrangements are being made by my Department for the purchase of a further helicopter for the Air Corps in the present financial year.
It is not intended to buy any further aircraft this year and I cannot at the present time say what provision, if any, will be made for such purchases next year.
Could the Minister say whether his Department have investigated the advisability of purchasing secondhand fighter aircraft?
I cannot anticipate what the provisions will be in the coming year, but the Deputy can be assured that we will explore all possible sources of supply.
102.
To ask the Minister for Defence the number of Vampire jet Air Corps planes which were in operational order on the 29th October, 1971.
On the 29th October, 1971, one of the six Vampire jet air-craft held by the Air Corps was undergoing a major overhaul; the other five were being checked and serviced. I might add that one of these aircraft is at present operational and a further three are expected to become operational during the next few months. The remaining two are unlikely to become serviceable again.
Is the Minister aware that on 29th October a British Canberra flew over Gormanston military camp, which is very close to Dublin, and is he aware that this aircraft violated our airspace?
That is a separate question.
Being aware that the air-craft violated our territorial airspace and of our not having any aircraft which could take to the air to identify the lettering on the craft, is the Minister not of the opinion that there is urgent need for replacing these Vampire jets?
I am aware that on the date in question one aircraft would have been serviceable within one hour, or, perhaps, a little more.
Would the Minister not agree, in view of what he has just said, that there was good reason for the Taoiseach's laugh yesterday when he was asked whether or not the plane referred to by Deputy Byrne did, in fact, fly over Gormanston for the purpose of taking pictures?
We would have an air-craft available within a very short time.
Within an hour. I am quite sure the aircraft would get back across the Border within a very short time.
Does the Minister not think there is urgent need to have an effective defensive air force in view of the 20 violations of the Border by British helicopters——
——which are now heavily and effectively armed with machine guns which can spray the territory over which they are flying?
This is a new situation.