Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The original question had an extra part that was ruled out of order. I wanted to ask whether the Department had tendered for the contract at all. It is obvious from the answer that there is no capacity within the Air Corps to go beyond what it is supplying at the moment. That is a poor reflection on Defence Forces management because the Air Corps has been unable to retain pilots, air traffic controllers or those who could operate some of the equipment and planes. I saw the equipment and planes when a delegation from the committee with responsibility for defence visited Baldonnel. The equipment basically sits in the hangars at night because insufficient cover is available.

When will the capacity of the Air Corps be increased to allow it to deliver not only on its existing commitments but on additional support for the civil power so that we do not have to go to the private sector to deliver air transport for sick children whether within the island or overseas for emergency and other operations

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