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Defence Forces Equipment.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 March 2004

Thursday, 25 March 2004

Questions (23, 24)

Brendan Howlin

Question:

19 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Defence when a decision will be made on the provision of light utility and medium lift helicopters for the Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9278/04]

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Michael D. Higgins

Question:

39 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence if it is intended to publish the report of the joint military-civil board established to review the overall rotary wing requirements for the Air Corps which was submitted to his Department towards the end of 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9277/04]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 39 together.

When I announced my decision to withdraw the Air Corps from the search and rescue service, I also announced my decision to proceed with the procurement of light utility helicopters and the disposal of the current Alouette, Dauphin and Gazelle aircraft. The procurement of modern light utility helicopters will provide a significant boost in available flying hours at reduced maintenance cost, compared to the existing aircraft in the Air Corps helicopter wing. It will also provide increased capability in the roles currently undertaken by the existing Air Corps LUH helicopters.

My decision to proceed with the tender competition was based on the recommendations contained in the report of the joint military and civil board, which examined the rotary wing requirements of the Air Corps. The report of the board also dealt with the procurement of medium lift helicopters for the search and rescue service in the longer term. However, as the Air Corps will no longer be providing this service, this part of the report will not be implemented.

The report of the board is an internal document to my Department and in the normal course would not be published. However, as is the case with all such records, the report would be releasable subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act. The report contains confidential and commercially sensitive information and will inform the tender competition for the procurement of the light utility helicopters. As such, it will not be releasable until the conclusion of that process. The detailed tender documentation for the procurement of the light utility helicopters is currently being compiled within my Department and I expect to initiate that competition shortly.

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