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

Those of us who knows the pressures on the Air Corps at the moment know that we need new CASA aircraft. They are on the way, but they take time to build and deliver. They also take time to equip in terms of the technology we put on them now, which is just pretty impressive. We also, of course, have a building works programme across our barracks, some which I mentioned regarding Haulbowline. We have equipment such as primary radar ships, aircraft upgrades - Mowag armoured personnel carriers and so on - and then we have a capital investment programme in physical infrastructure. Members have repeatedly raised with me the issue of dereliction on some of our bases, in particular the Curragh Camp. We have a €276 million capital investment plan, some of which, of course, we will invest in next year.

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