Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

The reduction in the provision for the Air Corps this year should be seen in the context of the very significant investment in new equipment for the Air Corps in recent years. This comprehensive investment programme included the delivery of eight Pilatus training aircraft at a total cost of €60 million, inclusive of VAT; two light-utility EC135 helicopters acquired from Eurocopter SAS at a cost of €12.8 million, inclusive of VAT; six utility AW139 helicopters acquired from AgustaWestland, Italy, at a cost of €75 million, inclusive of VAT; and a major mid-life upgrade on the two CASA maritime patrol aircraft, at a cost of €16.5 million. The total cost of these programmes is considerably in excess of €160 million, which I am sure the Deputy will agree is a very substantial amount of money, far exceeding any previous level of expenditure on such equipment for the Air Corps.

There is no provision in this year's Air Corps subhead for the purchase of aircraft. The AW139 helicopter programme and the CASA upgrade were both finalised in 2008 and this accounts for the significant reduction in the 2009 provision vis-À-vis 2008. The allocation for 2009 is sufficient for the day-to-day operations in the Air Corps and will not affect its operational capability.

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