Peadar Clohessy
Ceist:18 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Defence the current situation regarding the provision of an aircraft hangar at Baldonnel, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14973/95]
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers - Aircraft Hangar.
The corps of engineers is engaged in preparing a plan and design for an aircraft hangar at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, to house the two CASA Maritime Patrol aircraft and the Gulfstream IV aircraft as well as providing maintenance facilities. The design team are not due to report until next year. I regard it as a priority to provide hangarage for these aircraft and intend that the project should proceed at the earliest possible date, subject to the necessary finance being made available to my Department.
Are there aircraft in Baldonnel aerodrome which do not have hangars? Some of those aircraft have to take to the air at short notice and they must be in top shape for their flights. Does the Minister agree that as no hangars are available for those aircraft, especially in winter, they are not in first-class condition?
The Deputy is correct in saying that the existing hangars are not sufficiently large to house either the Gulfstream IV or CASA aircraft. The Gulfstream IV is partially covered by the existing hangar and the two CASA aircraft are parked in the open, creating a problem for maintenance staff required to work on them. Discussions are taking place at present to house these CASA aircraft temporarily in hangars at Dublin Airport and we propose to rent space from Team Aer Lingus when the need arises. I agree with the Deputy, it is unsatisfactory that we do not have sufficient hangars.
There are at present four hangars there, hangars one, two and four were built around 1917 while hangar three was completely refurbished in 1988. The older hangars are not in good condition despite continuing maintenance because of the age of their structures. As the Deputy will know, like everything else, such maintenance is very expensive. We shall endeavour to obtain the requisite additional finance when the corps of engineers have prepared the plan for Baldonnel which, I hope, will become available early next year, at which stage I will do my utmost to provide them with the necessary funds to commence the work.
I would not like anybody to think that aircraft piloted by the Air Corps would be allowed to take to the air if they were not considered to be in safe, good condition. It is important to state that.
Is the Minister aware there is a certain degree of concern on the part of personnel at Baldonnel aerodrome that aircraft used for important missions — which can be called to take to the air at very short notice — are not under cover in inclement weather between, say, November to late February or early March? Is this occasioned by a shortage of funding? Can the Minister give the House an assurance that the matter will be addressed as soon as possible?
As I said, the corps of engineers are drawing up detailed plans for a new hangar. When those plans become available, we shall seek funds, hopefully in 1996, in order to allow them to commence work. However, because of the length of time the CASA aircraft remain without cover, we are seeking temporary accommodation at Dublin Airport where they can be housed in premises owned by Team Aer Lingus. The position is unsatisfactory — there is no point in maintaining otherwise — but we shall endeavour to do something about it. When one remembers all that has happened since 1917, one is led to the conclusion that somebody should have given some thought to this matter.