Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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33. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which the Air Corps has sufficient personnel, equipment and training to meet all emergencies as required on land or sea, including coastal patrols and air and sea rescue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15491/17]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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41. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps continue to have available to them the equipment, training and personnel to meet all eventualities in which they might be called upon in emergency or other situations; if adequate updating, upgrading and upskilling takes place with regularity in all cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15492/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 41 together.

My priority as Minister with Responsibility for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible so as to enable the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service to carry out all roles assigned by Government. In this context, the full spectrum of Defence Forces personnel and equipment are available for deployment in response to any emergencies that may arise. In relation to the Air Corps , it can provide airborne and other supports to the Principal Response Agencies and my Department has put in place Memoranda of Understandings and Service Level Agreements with other government departments and agencies to both ensure the maintenance of essential services and also to capture the wide ranging supports that the Defence Forces can provide in emergency situations.

While there has been a loss of experienced personnel in the Air Corps, there is significant work underway in the Defence Organisation, both civil and military, aimed at improving the capacity of the Air Corps and it is important to note that in exceptional circumstances, including outside of normal hours, the Air Corps can recall personnel, and deploy.

The acquisition of new equipment and equipment upgrades for the Defence Forces remains a clear focus for me, and the White Paper on Defence published in 2015 recognises that there are several new and enhanced platforms to be procured. Future equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are being considered in the context of the lifetime of the White Paper as part of the capability development and equipment planning processes.

In the case of the Air Corps, equipment priorities set out in the White Paper recognise that there are a number of new and enhanced platforms to be procured, including the replacement of the Cessna fleet with three larger aircraft suitably equipped for Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance tasks, and replacement of the two Casa maritime patrol aircraft.

The Defence Forces keep their operational plans and response capabilities for dealing with a wide range of emergencies under constant review and significant and continuous effort is put into ensuring that they remain up-to-date with regard to best practice.

On the issue of training, considerable training expertise exists within the Defence Forces and this expertise is continually benchmarked against best international practice. Where the capability exists, relevant training is delivered in-house by highly trained and knowledgeable training instructors. Where appropriate, Defence Forces personnel are also sent on relevant external courses, both within Ireland and overseas.

I am satisfied that the resources are available to the Defence Forces, to e nable the fulfilment of all roles assigned by Government, including in emergency situations.