Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 7: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of helicopters in the Air Corps; the age of these aircraft; if any replacement or upgrading of these craft is planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17546/05]

Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 21: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of fixed wing aircraft available to the Air Corps; the age of these aircraft; if replacement or upgrading of these craft is planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17533/05]

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 41: To ask the Minister for Defence the current age of all craft available to the Air Corps; the acquisitions which will be made to supplement the Air Corps fleet during the remainder of 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17522/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to answer Questions Nos. 7, 21 and 41 together.

The Air Corps has a 40-aircraft complement comprising 14 helicopters and 26 fixed-wing aircraft. The type and age of the aircraft is set out in the tabular statement.

In January 2005, two contracts were signed for the provision of new helicopters for the Air Corps at a cost of over €61 million. At a cost of €48.4 million, inclusive of VAT, four utility helicopters will be acquired from Bell Agusta Aerospace. Delivery of the first two helicopters will take place in 2006 and of the second two in 2007. The helicopters will be used in support of Defence Forces operations. A further two light utility helicopters will be acquired from Eurocopter SAS at a cost of €12.8 million, inclusive of VAT. The light utility helicopters are due to be delivered later this year and will be used to train pilots for their role in support of the Defence Forces. The utility helicopters will replace the Dauphin, Gazelle and Alouette helicopters which are, in the main, becoming obsolete. The helicopters will be withdrawn from service when the utility helicopters are delivered, at which point the Department will make arrangements to dispose of them by tender competition.

The eight recently acquired Pilatus PC-9M turbo-propeller aircraft have replaced seven Marchetti aircraft in the pilot training role. Modern aircraft facilitate the continued training of young cadets to the highest standards. The aircraft can be armed to give them a limited defensive capability. Arrangements are being made within the Department for the disposal of the seven Marchetti aircraft by tender competition. In the interests of flight safety, a cockpit upgrade is being carried out on the two Casa aircraft operated by the Air Corps. A complete radar upgrade is also being considered for both aircraft to increase their operational capability. There are no plans to replace or upgrade any other Air Corps aircraft.

Gerard Murphy (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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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.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I agree with the Deputy that the strongest possible Air Corps is necessary. The eight Pilatus aircraft which we acquired last year are replacing seven Marchetti aircraft which had an average age of 28 years and were becoming obsolete. While six new helicopters will replace 12 old aircraft, lower maintenance demands and greater efficiency will allow them to deliver nearly twice the flying hours previously achieved.

The Air Corps was involved in search and rescue operations in only one of four regions, the other three of which were handled by a different organisation. Unfortunately and reluctantly, but for very good reasons, the Air Corps search and rescue operation in the north west had to be decommissioned and its functions transferred to the organisation already conducting search and rescue in the other three regions.

Gerard Murphy (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Does the Minister see any opportunity to reintroduce the function to the Air Corps?

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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It is not currently envisaged.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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When I last asked about the matter on 21 April, the Minister said a service level agreement was being finalised by the Departments of Health and Children and Defence. Has the agreement been finalised and will a dedicated air ambulance service be provided?

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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While the agreement is not yet finalised, I am advised that it is almost concluded. The question of a dedicated air ambulance service is a matter in the first instance for the Department of Health and Children. There are plans, however, on foot of the service level agreement to involve the Air Corps.

The detailed service level agreement will set out the details of the specific capabilities the Air Corps will bring to air ambulance services. A specialised air ambulance installation which is light and modular and has appropriate life support equipment which allows single-patient or incubator transfer is being acquired for each helicopter type in service in anticipation of Air Corps involvement.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Will the new helicopters be made available to the EU's rapid reaction force or battle groups as part of the headline goals?

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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No.