Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 November 2023
132. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of aircraft currently available to the Air Corps, those capable of countering sophisticated drug trafficking or other threats to the security of this or other European states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51148/23]
View answerMy priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government.
Currently the Air Corps have twenty six (26) aircraft in service, comprised of sixteen (16) fixed wing and ten (10) rotary wing aircraft, which enable them to provide a broad range of services on a daily basis in accordance with its primary security roles including Army and Naval Service supports, maritime patrols and fishery protection and supports in Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) including drug interdiction.
Primary responsibility for the internal security of the State rests with the Department of Justice and An Garda Síochána. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence is the provision of Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP), which, in practice, means to provide assistance and support to An Garda Síochána when requested to do so.
There is ongoing and close liaison between An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces, including the Air Corps, regarding security matters, and regular coordination and liaison meetings take place between the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána in relation to ATCP issues.
Overall responsibility for the prevention of drug trafficking rests primarily with the Customs Service of the Revenue Commissioners, while responsibility for the prevention of crime rests primarily with An Garda Síochána. The Joint Task Force on Drug Interdiction was established as a Government measure to improve law enforcement in relation to drugs and consists of members of An Garda Síochána, the Revenue Customs Service and the Naval Service, assisted by the Air Corps and the Army as required. The Defence Forces work closely with An Garda Síochána and Revenue in relation to suspected drug trafficking.
