Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 129: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of aircraft within the service of the Air Corps; the age of the aircraft within the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6735/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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There are 40 aircraft in service with the Air Corps at present, comprising 14 helicopters and 26 fixed-wing aircraft. The type and age of the aircraft is set out in the following tabular statement which will be circulated in the Official Report.

In January 2005 two contracts were signed for the provision of new helicopters for the Air Corps at a cost of over €61million. Four utility helicopters are being acquired from Bell Agusta Aerospace Company at a cost of €48.4 million inclusive of VAT. Two will be delivered in 2006 and two in 2007. Two light utility helicopters are being acquired from Eurocopter SAS at a cost of €12.8 million inclusive of VAT. Both light utility helicopters are due to be delivered later this year.

The eight recently purchased Pilatus PC-9M turbo propeller aircraft will replace the Marchetti aircraft in the pilot training role. These aircraft will allow for the continued training of young cadets to the highest standards. These aircraft will also be capable of being armed and, as such, will have a limited defensive capability.

The seven Marchetti aircraft which have been replaced by the eight recently purchased Pilatus PC-9M turbo propeller aircraft are being regarded as in service with the Air Corps even though they are no longer operational. The Marchetti aircraft will be disposed of in the near future.

The Squirrel and EC135 helicopters and the Defender fixed wing aircraft are being included also, even though they are owned by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.