Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On those two suggestions, there is a strong historical link between the Air Corps and Knock in terms of using the airport's facilities for refuelling and conducting operations in the west of Ireland. When the Air Corps was central to the search and rescue, SAR, operations off the west coast, Knock was used as a strategic location. However, since the Air Corps withdrew from SAR operations in 2004 that activity has effectively ceased. Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel remains the main logistical airport for the Air Corps now.

On the location and prepositioning of essential humanitarian supplies, Ireland does this in different parts of the world. Currently, we have three stockpiles of emergency supplies. One is in Ghana, which I visited seven or eight years ago, one is in Dubai and one is in Panama. They have to be strategically located close to where we expect that emergency crisis situations are likely to unfold. I will talk to the Deputy about other ways in which we might be able to help with what he is trying to do.

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