asked the Minister for Defence when proper marine surveillance aircraft which are needed to replace the interim aircraft referred to in reply to Parliamentary Question No. 35 of 15 May 1980 will be ordered, or when funds will be made available in view of the fact that such aircraft have been developed by manufacturers and that a number of them have been demonstrated to the Air Corps; if his attention has been drawn to the note to subhead O.I. in the 1979 Appropriation Accounts; and if he will make a statement on this matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions Oral Answers - Maritime Surveillance Aircraft.
19.
The selection of a suitable maritime surveillance aircraft is under active consideration and evaluation by the Air Corps. It is not possible at this stage to say when a choice will be made.
What is the reason for the delay? If this is funded, what percentage of it would be funded by EEC moneys?
The delay is in the development of a further type of surveillance aircraft. In the meantime, as the Deputy probably knows, we lease these Beech Super Kingair aircraft with an option to purchase. That option has been exercised since December 1979. In the meantime, fishery protection is only one facet of national requirements for surveillance in the whole maritime sector.
Would the Minister accept that the aircraft which his Department have been examining are in use in other countries and are accepted as being successful? If the funds are available and if the development has been concluded, could the Minister be more specific and tell us the reason for the delay?
The manufacturers of these aircraft are still developing them and the Air Corps are monitoring the developments as they go on.
I know that. Would the Minister accept that they are in use in other countries and surely if they are——
What point is the Deputy making?
Are we looking for a superior type? If they are accepted in other countries for the specific purpose for which we need them and if the funds are there and the development has been concluded, surely there is some delay?
Some manufacturers are developing aircraft specifically for this purpose. We are monitoring the situation and, as the Deputy probably knows, different types of aircraft are coming on stream every year and are being developed year by year. When we do decide, I hope that they will be a really modern type and the best available.
Ceist 20.
May I ask the Minister, finally, when he will know whether or not he is accepting these aircraft or what type he is accepting?
We await the recommendations of the military personnel who are involved in the survey.
When will that be available?
I shall ask them that.