Vol. 514 No. 5
40 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Defence the number of fixed wing training aircraft available to the Air Corps; if newspaper reports suggesting that all these aircraft are experiencing serious problems as a result of shortage of spare parts are accurate; the plans, if any, he has for replacement aircraft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4529/00]
The Air Corps operates a fleet of seven Siai Marchetti SF 261 aircraft which are used for elementary and basic flight training. Further training is carried out using the Beechcraft aircraft. These aircraft are available for pilot training except when scheduled overhauls and routine maintenance are being undertaken. There is constant liaison between the Air Corps and suppliers of spare parts to ensure that requirements are met as quickly as possible. The pilot training needs of the Air Corps are under review and additional facilities within the corps or through outside agencies will be considered as required.
41 Mr. D. Carey asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has to provide the Air Corps with appropriate aircraft to carry out search and rescue on the east and west coasts; and if he has satisfied himself that the helicopters being used are adequate for the tasks demanded. [4622/00]
117 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has to provide the Air Corps with appropriate aircraft to carry out search and rescue on the east and west coasts; and if he has satisfied himself that the helicopters being used are adequate for the tasks demanded. [4658/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 117 together.
The Irish Coast Guard of the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources has overall responsibility for the provision of a marine search and rescue service in this country. The Air Corps provides a search and rescue service from Finner, County Donegal, and Waterford Regional Airport as part of the overall search and rescue arrangements. Bond Helicopters provide a search and rescue service, using medium lift helicopters, from Shannon and Dublin Airports under contract to the Irish Coast Guard. The service operating from Dublin Airport commenced on 1 July 1998, prior to which the Air Corps provided search and rescue coverage on the east coast. It had been intended that the new service would be crewed by Air Corps personnel and would operate from Casement Aerodrome once certain legal difficulties concerning the question of the basing of a civil operation at a military airbase had been resolved. This latter element is being pursued with the Department of Public Enterprise and the Irish Aviation Authority. The high incidence of retirement of Air Corps flying officers in recent years meant that the Air Corps was not in a position to provide pilots for the new service. Provision was, however, made in the contract with the operator for the introduction of Air Corps crew at a future date. The new service is currently operating from Dublin Airport with the option of re-locating to Baldonnel at a future date.
