Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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50. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the support the Air Corps has been able to provide when assisting emergency services dealing with serious gorse and forest fires; the type of equipment available to the Air Corps when attempting to extinguish such fires; and his plans to upgrade or modify its existing air fleet in order that it is better equipped to assist in tackling out-of-control fires in view of the damage caused by gorse and forest fires in recent weeks. [23195/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The White Paper on Defence (2015) outlines the fact that Defence Forces’ capabilities are primarily developed for security purposes and this remains the key capability driver. In this context, the White Paper sets out the investment priorities for the Air Corps. A unique feature of Ireland’s defence policy is the extent to which these capabilities are used towards other ends.

The Deputy will appreciate that while the Defence Forces are not a Principal Response Agency as defined in the Framework for Major Emergency Management, the Defence Forces provide the fullest possible assistance to the appropriate Principle Response Agency in the event of a natural disaster or emergency situation in an Aid to the Civil Authority (ATCA) role.

The Air Corps provided assistance to the emergency services fighting gorse and forest fires in Counties Sligo and Galway in recent weeks dropping approximately 197,000 litres of water onto the fires.

The Air Corps utilised the AW139 helicopter in the fire fighting role using the “bambi bucket” to deliver water to the scene of the fire. The bucket can carry up to 1,200 litres of water at a time. This water can be delivered by the helicopter quickly and accurately, and is particularly useful when dealing with fires in remote areas.

The Air Corps also deployed an EC-135 helicopter to facilitate command and control of the fire fighting operation.

The Deputy might also note that, in addition to Air Corp s assistance, 49 personnel drawn from Renmore Barracks (An Chead Cathlan Cois) were also deployed to assist with fire-fighting efforts in Oughterard Co. Galway.  These personnel  were also operating in an Aid to Civil Authority capacity and they assisted with the suppression of secondary fires.

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.