Michael Bell
Ceist:40 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Defence the conditions set down by the EU Commission regarding the use of the CASA planes for private purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3437/02]
Written Answers. - Defence Forces Equipment.
Alan Shatter
Ceist:42 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Defence if he will end the use of the Air Corps CASA aircraft for duties other than fishery protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4787/02]
Brian O'Shea
Ceist:55 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Defence the number of flying missions undertaken and the number which were for the purposes of ministerial transport in respect of the CASA aircraft for 2000 and 2001; if he has satisfied himself that the use of the CASA for ministerial transport is consistent with conditions set by the EU when providing finance for the purchase of the aircraft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4674/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 40, 42 and 55 together.
Two CASA aircraft – C252 and C253 – were delivered in 1994 under the 1991 to 1995 fishery protection support programme. The cost of both aircraft – inclusive of VAT – amounted to approximately €55.3 million, £43.6 million, of which approximately €22.9 million, £18 million, was refunded by the EU. The aircraft are fully equipped for fishery protection duties.
In implementing the terms of the fisheries surveillance package, the Commission took the general position that where capital assets were overwhelmingly dedicated to fisheries protection the full eligible expenditure would receive Community support. It was on that basis that the Commission partly funded the cost of the CASA aircraft. It has been regularly confirmed by the Irish authorities to the Commission that the vast proportion of CASA time is demonstrably spent on fisheries protection. The fact that the aircraft are primarily tasked with fisheries protection has not precluded their deployment from time to time on search and rescue, air ambulance, security and transport duties.
My colleague, the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, has primary responsibility for fisheries protection. Relevant requirements relate to efficient and effective standards of fisheries protection service delivery by the Naval Service and the Air Corps. Service delivery is based on agreed outputs in line with overall fisheries protection priorities agreed each year. The relevant CASA outputs are the numbers of fisheries patrols, flying hours and vessel sightings.
These outputs are reported on annually to the Commission by the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources. In 2001 the CASA aircraft undertook 277 fishery patrols, involving 1,390 flying hours, and recorded over 5,000 sightings of fishing vessels. The figures for 2000 are 252 fishery patrols involving 1,317 flying hours and recording over 5,000 sightings of fishing vessels. These levels of activity are broadly in line with performance in previous years.
The number of flying missions undertaken by the CASA aircraft in 2001 amounted to 370, 1,662 flying hours, of which 13, 42 flying hours, related to ministerial transport. The flying time relating to ministerial transport amounted to 2.5% of the overall flying time in 2001. In 2000 the number of flying missions undertaken by the CASA aircraft amounted to 339, 1557 flying hours, of which 12, 33 flying hours, related to Ministerial transport. The flying time relating to ministerial transport amounted to 2.1% of the overall flying time in 2000.
I am satisfied that a satisfactory and effective fisheries protection service, utilising existing resources, is being provided by both the Air Corps and Naval Service and that the occasional use of the CASA aircraft for purposes such as search and rescue, air ambulance and occasional transport is consistent with the position regarding the primacy of the fisheries protection role, as conveyed to the Commission.