Niall Collins (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 83: To ask the Minister for Defence the procedures for the disposal of the Air Corps Alouette helicopters recently withdrawn from regular use; if it is proposed to retain or preserve any of them for display; the number and type of other former aircraft retained by the Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34020/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Alouette helicopters, originally delivered over forty years ago, were taken out of service in the Air Corps in September of this year. I am advised that six of these helicopters, with a stock of spare parts, will be disposed of by my Department in the New Year. The sale will be by open tender competition. At least one helicopter will be retained for display in the Air Corps Museum at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel.

The Air Corps retain a number of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, complete and incomplete, for historical purposes in the Museum in Baldonnel. These aircraft include an Avro Anson, Chipmunks, Fouga Magisters, D. H. Vampires, a D. H. Dove, a Miles Magister, a Percival Provost, a Siai Marchetti Warrior and a Wright Flyer Replica.

Earlier this year I approved the purchase of an AVRO 631 Cadet, a former Air Corps trainer aircraft, from its owner in New Zealand. This is, also, housed in the Air Corps Museum in Baldonnel. The Air Corps Museum receives visiting groups on tours subject to written application and approval by my Department, which is normally forthcoming.