Olivia Mitchell
Ceist:77 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has for the modernisation of the Air Corps fleet of aircraft as recommended by the Price Waterhouse review. [4876/99]
Written Answers. - Defence Forces Review.
Austin Currie
Ceist:84 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Defence if he proposes to proceed with the reduction in numbers of personnel in the Air Corps to 930 all ranks, the transfer of personnel from Gormanston to Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, and the move of Air Corps headquarters from its present location in Park House to Baldonnel, without at the same time making arrangements for the modernisation of the aircraft fleet as recommended in the Price Waterhouse review. [4889/99]
Donal Carey
Ceist:88 Mr. D. Carey asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has to implement in full the recommendations of the Price Waterhouse review; and, if so, the timescale for this implementation. [4872/99]
Michael Joe Cosgrave
Ceist:101 Mr. Cosgrave asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has to replace the Fouga Magister training aircraft in view that they have reached the end of their life and as four of the six have already been taken out of service. [4879/99]
Donal Carey
Ceist:111 Mr. D. Carey asked the Minister for Defence the number of times the Price Waterhouse review group has met; and the agenda and timetable for implementation of its recommendations. [4871/99]
Proinsias De Rossa
Ceist:117 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Defence the number of meetings held to date of the consultative group on implementation of the Price Waterhouse report on the Defence Forces; the progress made to date; when the group will conclude its work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4990/99]
Seán Ryan
Ceist:127 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Defence the position of the Price Waterhouse report; the consultations, if any, which have taken place within his Department and with other interested parties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5013/99]
Frances Fitzgerald
Ceist:187 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the number of times the Price Waterhouse review group has met; and the agenda and timetable for implementation of its recommendations. [4927/99]
Frances Fitzgerald
Ceist:188 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has to implement in full the recommendations of the Price Waterhouse review; and, if so, the timescale for this implementation. [4928/99]
Frances Fitzgerald
Ceist:189 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has for the modernisation of the Air Corps fleet of aircraft as recommended by the Price Waterhouse review. [4929/99]
Frances Fitzgerald
Ceist:190 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has to replace the Fouga Magister training aircraft which have now reached the end of their life and four of the six have already been retired. [4930/99]
Frances Fitzgerald
Ceist:192 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence if it is his proposal to cherry-pick from the recommendations of the Price Waterhouse review by proceeding with the reduction in numbers of personnel in the Air Corps to 930 all ranks, the transfer of personnel from Gormanston to Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, and the move of Air Corps headquarters from its present location in Park House to Baldonnel, without at the same time making arrangements for the modernisation of the aircraft fleet as recommended in the review. [4932/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 77, 84, 88, 101, 111, 117, 127, 187, 188, 189, 190 and 192 together.
The Government considered the reviews of the Air Corps and the Naval Service in the middle of last year. A planning and implementation process has been set in train to give effect to the Government's decision. The reviews of the Air Corps and the Naval Service must be seen in the broader context of the reorganisation of the Defence Forces generally. The Defence Forces Review Implementation Plan made specific provision for the special studies of the Air Corps and the Naval Service on the basis that the initial Price Waterhouse review had necessarily concentrated on the Army. Price Waterhouse's 1998 report on the Air Corps and the Naval Service sets out a range of recommendations for more effective and efficient air and sea services. Some of these recommendations can be proceeded with fairly quickly while others will take longer. As with the reorganisation of the Defence Forces, the changes in the Air Corps and the Naval Service will be of a positive nature aimed at ensuring the ongoing development of these services consistent with the needs of the State and that of the taxpayer.
There is no question of being selective in a negative way with regard to the recommendations. It is however important that implementation of the recommendations are undertaken in a planned way having regard to the development of the Defence Forces as a whole. This is why I have asked the Chief of Staff in conjunction with the GOC of the Air Corps and the Flag Officer Commanding the Naval Service to submit implementation plans for my consideration to give effect to the effectiveness and efficiency recommendations in the Price Waterhouse report. In parallel, and as part of the general White Paper process, I have asked for a submission from the Chief of Staff to address the long-term air and sea requirements of the State which would form the basis of the longer term development of the Air Corps and Naval Service and which will be supported by the on-going effectiveness and efficiency measures. I understand that a considerable amount of work has been done and I would expect to receive draft proposals for my consideration in the near future. These proposals will include,inter alia, organisation, personnel, headquarters and options in relation to future equipment for both services.
I have also emphasised the importance of involving all of the relevant stakeholders in the process. I have therefore established a special consultation group to provide a forum for the input of the key stakeholders in relation to the State air and sea services. The consultation group, which I chair, comprises representatives from the civil and military branches of my Department, from the Department of Marine and Natural Resources, the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Finance and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The group has held one meeting at which I invited the stakeholders to make their inputs to the process and appropriate contacts have been made at official level to facilitate this. The group will meet again as the planning and implementation process develops. In addition arrangements are in hand to ensure that the Defence Forces Representative Associations are kept informed of on-going developments.