Tomás MacGiolla
Question:19 Tomás Mac Giolla asked the Minister for Defence if he is considering purchasing or acquiring additional aircraft for the Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions Oral Answers. - Air Corps Aircraft.
A proposal for a financial contribution towards expenditure incurred by member states for the purpose of surveillance of fishery resources was adopted by the Fisheries Council of the EC on 27 November 1989. The EC contribution will relate to eligible expenditure incurred by member states from 1 January 1991 to 31 December 1995. The question of the provision of suitable patrol aircraft for the Air Corps to facilitate maritime surveillance of fishery resources is being examined in the context of the EC proposal.
How may craft are involved and to what extent will the sea surveillance facilities be enhanced by whatever decision is ultimately taken?
How soon does the Minister consider that a decision will be reached in the matter?
It has been agreed in principle that we do get assistance of this kind and a claim has, of course, been lodged with the EC since March 1988. In November 1989, the Fisheries Council adopted a decision providing for substantial funding for fisheries surveillance in member states. It is under that heading we have made our application. There is a budgetary allocation under EC funds in general for the Community and we are trying to get a slot in there. At present we are examining what would be suitable for us in that respect and we will be submitting a programme to the EC for funding very shortly, following on the Government decision of 23 January that this should be done. This programme is currently being prepared by the Department of the Marine who are the moving party, as it were, to the Commission. Everything is ready to roll in this regard. The programme being prepared by the Department of the Marine for EC approval is expected to be ready by November 1990 when we will have full approval of the exact money that will be made available for the precise type of aircraft surveillance, etc. All this work is in train.
Given that the Government made their decision on 23 January 1990 does the Minister not agree that there is a certain tardiness on the part of the Department of the Marine or of someone else in making our case to Europe?
I want to pay tribute to the Department of the Marine who have acted expeditiously in this matter. They have pushed it forward in conjunction with the Department of Foreign Affairs. The Department of Defence are the investigating body. We have made known our requirements and a programme is being prepared for submission to Brussels. The way is clear to do this, and there is no question about it.
Even though the Minister is happy that progress is being made I find it difficult to agree with him. Now that we are nearing the end of our Presidency of the EC may I ask the Minister the position in regard to the Gulfstream III aircraft——
That is a separate matter.
No, it is not. Question No. 19 referred to the future acquisition of additional aircraft. The Minister in his response sought to curtail this to fishery protection craft but I am asking about other aircraft used by the Government, including the Gulfstream III.
The Deputy is adverting to a very specific matter worthy of a separate question. This is a general question in relation to the acquisition of aircraft.
It asks if the Minister is considering purchasing or acquiring additional aircraft for the Air Corps.
I am aware of the content of the question.
The Gulfsteam III——
The Deputy should put down a question on that.
It relates to air-craft——
It is a separate matter. My Department are specifically concerned with the Air Corps and the Naval Service and their requirements for fishery surveillance. This is under my supervision and we are purchasing planes for that purpose with EC funding. As I have said, we are preparing a programme which will involve two such aircraft. This programme is now ready for the appropriate funding from the European Community and we will be in quickly with our application via the Department of the Marine, with the support of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
The Department of Defence also run the Government jet. Is it intended to purchase, lease or acquire a replacement for that jet at the conclusion of the Irish Presidency?
The Government jet has been recognised as a separate matter. I am proceeding to Question No. 20.
Does the Minister——
Please, Deputy McCartan, accept the ruling of the Chair in this matter; I say it is worthy of a separate question.
The question was put down to me and I acted properly in relation to the aircraft for which I have responsibility.
It dealt with all aircraft. The Chair is being overly restrictive.
I have called Question No. 20.