Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 November 2020
439. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which Air Corps personnel continue to be trained and have their training upgraded in line with best practice throughout the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37058/20]
View answer440. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which Naval Service personnel continue to be trained and have their training upgraded in line with best practice throughout the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37059/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 439 and 440 together.
My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained to the greatest extent possible so as to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles assigned by Government as set out on the White Paper on Defence. The Defence Forces keep their operational capability under on-going review.
The primary function of training and education in the Defence Forces is to develop and maintain the necessary capabilities to fulfil the roles assigned by Government. The Defence Forces continue to deliver in-house military training programmes and modules meeting national, EU and international standards. All training, internal and external, is provided to ensure that the Defence Forces activities are in line with best international practice and that they avail of all relevant modern training methods.
I am satisfied that all essential training provided is in line with Defence Forces Training Instruction and the current "Training in a Covid-19 environment". These initiatives, together with the courses of action in the White Paper, ensure the Defence Forces remain suitably equipped and trained, in line with EU and international best practice, to fulfil all roles assigned by Government.
