Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The benefit of being Minister in two different Departments is the connectivity with the defence side and the Garda Síochána on this side. The Deputy is looking at maintenance expenditure and a substantial amount of that expenditure is taken up on the defence side. When we come to the defence Vote, some of it deals with the Garda Síochána helicopter service, although it may not be identified as such. The Department of Defence and the Air Corps maintain the fixed wing aircraft. Some additional maintenance arises. There is connectivity between the two and there is not an issue of reducing the moneys available for maintenance so that the helicopters are used less frequently. Safety is the predetermined and most important criterion and maintenance is crucial to the safety of those who are using the helicopter.

This is not really an issue because the expertise in the defence side means joined-up thinking is going on. Instead of being dealt with in a piecemeal fashion, with separate maintenance contracts, it is dealt with in a manner that is financially efficient.