Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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113. To ask the Minister for Defence the degree to which he remains satisfied regarding the adequacy of the Defence Forces to meet emergencies of a security or natural disaster situation; if the Army, Navy and Air Corps continue to be developed in line with requirements to meet such contingencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35130/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capacity of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible. The Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána have primary responsibility for the internal security of the State. However, one of the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence (2015) is to provide Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) which, in practice, means to assist An Garda Síochána when requested to do so.

In these circumstances a wide variety of military training activities are specifically designed to counter or respond to possible security emergencies and the Defence Forces hold regular coordination and liaison meetings with An Garda Síochána in relation to ATCP issues.

In relation to non-security related emergencies, whilst the Defence Forces are not a Principal Response Agency as defined in the Framework for Major Emergency Management, they provide the fullest possible assistance to the appropriate Lead Department in the event of a natural disaster or emergency situation in its Aid to the Civil Authority (ATCA) role.

At National level, representation on the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, by both my Department and the Defence Forces, ensures the fullest coordination and cooperation in the event of an emergency and that the command structure within the Defence Forces is compatible with the requirements in this area.

The Defence Forces are also represented on the eight Regional Working Groups that have been established under the Framework and, on an ongoing basis, designated members of the Defence Forces, based around the country, act as Liaison Officers to Local Authorities.

The full spectrum of Defence Forces personnel and equipment, commensurate with operational requirements, is available for deployments in response to emergencies and natural disasters. In this regard, the Defence Forces hold a wide range of engineering and transport plant and equipment for military purposes. All such plant and equipment suitable for use in emergency situations is made available as the need arises.

In relation to the Naval Service, all vessels are multi-tasked in the sense that, in addition to their fishery protection role, they also undertake general surveillance, security, pollution monitoring, and Search and Rescue in support to the Irish Coast Guard, amongst other duties while on patrol. These activities assist in detecting and preventing emergency situations throughout Ireland’s maritime jurisdiction.

The role of the Air Corps includes the provision of an emergency inter-hospital Air Ambulance service in support of the HSE. It is also supporting the HSE in an emergency aeromedical support service operating primarily in the West of Ireland. The Air Corps also has a maritime surveillance function undertaken by its maritime patrol aircraft and both it and the Naval Service provide support to the Irish Coast Guard in maritime Search and Rescue operations.

I am satisfied that the Defence Forces continue to be developed in line with requirements needed to fulfil all roles that are assigned to them by Government in any emergency situations that may arise.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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114. To ask the Minister for Defence the degree to which the Navy and Air Corps continue to maintain coastal surveillance and are available for air and sea rescue in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35131/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The resources available to the Defence Forces to carry out their operational commitments are kept under constant review. I am satisfied that the Defence Forces, including the Air Corps and Naval Service, have the necessary resources to meet these commitments.

With regard to surveillance, the Air Corps Maritime Patrol Squadron carries out aerial surveillance of the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) using two CASA maritime patrol aircraft. These two aircraft typically carry out in excess of 250 maritime patrol missions per annum and are equipped with state-of-the-art surveillance and communication equipment which offers aerial support to the Naval Service which conducts surface patrols in the Irish EEZ. The Naval Service role in this regard is being supported by the ongoing vessel replacement programme which has seen two new vessels, LÉ Samuel Beckett and LÉ James Joyce commissioned into service whilst a third new vessel, LÉ William Butler Yeats, is to be delivered in 2016.

With regard to Search and Rescue, the Irish Coast Guard has overall responsibility for the provision of search and rescue services within the Irish search and rescue region. In accordance with the new White Paper on Defence, the Defence Forces continues to have a role in assisting the civil authorities (Aid to the Civil Authority) and both the Air Corps and the Naval Service provide support to the Coast Guard in accordance with a comprehensive Service Level Agreement signed in September 2013.

The new White Paper on Defence, which was published in August 2015, recognises the ever changing maritime environment and technological developments that are occurring. In this regard, the White Paper provides that further areas of greater synergy will be explored between Departments and agencies with responsibility in the maritime area during the implementation of the White Paper in order to ensure the best and most efficient use of all state resources.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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115. To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which the Irish Navy has participated in overseas rescue missions in the Mediterranean; the extent to which such action continues to be required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35132/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Following a Government Decision on 12 May 2015, an Irish Naval Vessel, L.É. Eithne, was deployed to the Mediterranean on 16 May, 2015, to assist the Italian Authorities with the collective effort to save lives in the Mediterranean. L.É. Niamh replaced L.É. Eithne in July 2015 on completion of her deployment. L.É. Niamh has since been replaced by L.É. Samuel Beckett which commenced operations in the Mediterranean on 01 October 2015.

The role of the Irish Naval vessel is to provide a search and rescue capability and to undertake humanitarian rescue operations at sea in the Mediterranean. Assistance to persons in distress at sea is being provided in accordance with the applicable provisions of international conventions governing search and rescue situations. Co-ordination of search and rescue efforts and the provision of humanitarian assistance is being achieved through close co-operation with the relevant Italian authorities.

During her deployment in the Mediterranean, L.É. Eithne rescued a total of 3,377 migrants. She was replaced in the mission on 18 July by L.É. Niamh which rescued a total of 4,020 migrants during her deployment. Tragically, 39 bodies were also recovered by L.É. Niamh. L.É. Samuel Beckett, commenced patrolling duties on the waters between Libya and Sicily on 01 October 2015. L.É. Samuel Beckett is the third Irish Naval vessel deployed to the Mediterranean to continue the excellent work undertaken by L.É. Eithne and L.É. Niamh. To date L.É. Samuel Beckett has rescued 242 migrants.

While the duration of the deployment of L.É. Samuel Beckett is subject to ongoing assessment of the crisis, it is intended that this rotation, up to the end of November 2015, will complete the Naval Service’s participation in the mission.

The success of the operations carried out to date by L.É. Eithne, L.É. Niamh and L.É. Samuel Beckett involving the rescue of 7,639 migrants demonstrates clearly the value of Ireland’s participation in this important humanitarian response.