Gerard Murphy (Cork North West, Fine Gael)

I am pleased by the Minister's reply which sets out the commitment and preparation to replace some Air Corps aircraft. Does the Minister accept that a strong helicopter fleet is an integral element of the defence infrastructure of an island nation given the international terrorist threats which have emerged? Are there plans to reinvolve the Defence Forces in search and rescue operations? Defence Forces personnel carried out extremely valuable work in the role which also functioned as a positive PR exercise to allow the public to appreciate the effort, work, expertise and professionalism of the Air Corps.

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