Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 18 Oct 2001

Vol. 542 No. 4

Written Answers. - Air Corps Travel.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

25 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Defence the reason for the trip by the Air Corps Casa aircraft to the United States in February and March 2001; if it took place at the request of a commercial company dealing with the US Coastguard Service; the cost of the trip; if the Department was reimbursed for the expenses of the trip; the arrangements which were put in place to provide adequate maritime patrol cover in the absence of the aircraft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24507/01]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith):

The Air Corps operate two Casa aircraft for maritime fishery patrol purposes. These aircraft which were manufactured by Casa, now a constituent of the new European Consortium EADS, were acquired in 1994.

A request was received in January 2001 from EADS-CASA for one of the two Air Corps Casa maritime patrol aircraft to participate in a visit to the US Coastguard during the period 17 February to 4 March 2001. The US Coastguard was considering the purchase of a number of similar aircraft to those which are in service in the Air Corps. As there were considerable training benefits to be derived by the Air Corps from such a visit and since sales of the maritime patrol version of the Casa aircraft to the US Coastguard would greatly increase the fleet size of such aircraft and give rise to a greater availability of spares, etc., with subsequent benefits to all operators world-wide, including the Air Corps, I agreed to the proposed visit on the basis that EADS-CASA would reimburse the Department of Defence for all costs and arrange full indemnification for both crew and aircraft.

The cost of the visit amounted to £113,300 and full reimbursement has been received from EADS-CASA. Maritime patrol cover was provided for the duration of the visit by the second Air Corps Casa maritime patrol aircraft.