Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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140. To ask the Minister for Defence his views on whether the Air Corps is capable of dealing with unauthorised incursions into Irish airspace by military aircraft from other countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11644/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The White Paper on Defence (2000) sets out the current defence policy framework. The role of the Air Corps as set out in the White Paper is to provide a range of military and non-military air services. The Air Corps has traditionally discharged a mix of functions based on a need to supply a range of services such as air ambulance, fishery protection, and support to An Garda Síochána, in addition to their military roles.

The White Paper provides that for the Air Corps to exceed this capability would require a level of investment in personnel, equipment and infrastructure which could not be justified. Accordingly the Air Corps is not tasked, or equipped, to monitor or respond to unauthorised aircraft overflying Irish Airspace.

Work is continuing apace on the development of a new White Paper on Defence. A key part of the development of the new White Paper is consideration of the current security environment and challenges that may emerge into the future. Working groups comprising civil and military representatives from the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces are considering likely future operational demands and the defence capabilities required to meet these demands. This work will inform recommendations regarding defence provision.