Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 304: To ask the Minister for Defence the degree to which the Air Corps has the necessary resources to maintain its commitments in respect of air sea rescue and surveillance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12249/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Irish Coast Guard has overall responsibility for the provision of maritime Search and Rescue, (SAR), services within the Irish Search and Rescue region. In accordance with the roles assigned to them by Government in the White Paper on Defence, the Air Corps is committed to providing support to the civil authorities including in relation to Search and Rescue. In this regard, the Air Corps provide support to the Coast Guard as the need arises and within their available capability.

The Air Corps has a Service Level Agreement with the Irish Coast Guard which sets out the SAR assistance that the Air Corps can provide to the Coast Guard. The provision of assistance during mountain rescue operations and fixed wing top cover by the Air Corps Casa aircraft to Coast Guard helicopters are included in this agreement.

The two Casa aircraft also have an important surveillance capability which offer aerial assistance to the Naval Service in patrolling the Exclusive Economic Zone. These aircraft both underwent mid-life upgrades which were completed in 2008 at a cost of €16.5m. The upgrades included the fitting of state of the art surveillance and communication equipment. The Air Corps has also on occasion carried members of the Customs National Drugs Team in an observational capacity for the purposes of monitoring vessels suspected of smuggling drugs.

I am satisfied that the Air Corps has the necessary resources to meet all its operational requirements including the provision of SAR and surveillance assistance.