Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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Question 155: To ask the Minister for Defence the activity that is happening on a yearly basis at Gormanston Barracks, County Dublin; the number of days and what was done on these days in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33930/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Gormanston Camp is the principal recruit training camp in the Eastern Brigade region and is used throughout the year by personnel from both the Permanent Defence Force and the Reserve Defence Force. To date in 2011, the Defence Forces have organised 15 courses of different types and duration. The Camp has also been used for five training camps, including three Reserve Defence Force training weekends. This level of activity is in line with what happened in 2010.

In more general terms, the Camp continues to be used extensively for weapons training by units of the Eastern Brigade as well as by the Air Corps and the Naval Service, whilst the Pistol Range is also used by An Garda Síochána for its training purposes. The Camp also facilitates the conduct of land to air, sea to air and air to sea firing practices and is the only such facility available to the Defence Forces for these purposes. It also has a number of aircraft hangers, one of which is used by the Air Accident Investigation Unit of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.

The Camp also continues to be used as a base for one of the Defence Forces' Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams. Both An Garda Síochána and Civil Defence also use the Camp for courses, exercises and competitions. To date in 2011, these bodies have used the camp on seven occasions.