Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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404. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he has undertaken a review of the operation to evacuate Irish citizens from Kabul in Afghanistan; if a review, if any, examined the mode of transport that was required to facilitate the Army Ranger Wing trip to Afghanistan; if he is satisfied that a future purchase of enhanced airlift capabilities for the Air Corps is a necessity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51881/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The operation to evacuate Irish citizens from Kabul in August 2021 was carried out by an Emergency Civil Assistance Team (ECAT) led by the Department of Foreign Affairs and supported by Defence Forces personnel.

The goal of the ECAT Mission was to provide consular advice and assistance, including by assisting in the safe evacuation of the Irish citizens and dependants that had been identified. With the support of ECAT, 26 Irish citizens and residents were successfully supported to evacuate Afghanistan.

The post mission review covered all aspects of the operation, including transportation. The ECAT received transport assistance from our EU partners, France and Finland. It is not unusual for small countries such as ours to receive this type of support from larger partners in relation to overseas deployments and crisis management scenarios.

With regard to enhanced airlift capabilities for the Air Corps, my priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained to the greatest extent possible in order to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles assigned by Government, as set out in the White Paper on Defence.

In this context, the principal aim over the period of the White Paper is to replace and upgrade, as required, existing capabilities in order to retain a flexible response for a wide range of operational requirements at home and overseas.

The White Paper provides for the replacement of the CASA 235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft with larger more capable aircraft, which would enhance maritime surveillance and provide a greater degree of utility for transport and cargo carrying tasks. A contract for the supply of two C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft was signed with Airbus Defence and Space in December 2019. The principal role of the C295 is maritime surveillance, particularly fishery protection. It will also enable the Air Corps to provide a wide range of services including logistics support and transport of troops and equipment, medical evacuation and air ambulance, search and rescue and a general utility role. The cost of the contract, including equipment fit-out and ancillary support, is approximately €228.3 million including VAT and the aircraft are scheduled for delivery next year. These aircraft when delivered will provide enhanced airlift capabilities for the Air Corps.

Notwithstanding the recommendation of the Commission on the Defence Forces to enhance the Air Corps fleet with the addition of a fixed wing aircraft with strategic reach capability, no decisions have yet been made in respect of the purchase of aircraft in other roles such as strategic airlift /strategic reach capability.

In line with the approach to proposals for major acquisitions and the Public Spending Code, the assessment of a proposal to acquire a large aircraft includes consideration of the overall investment rationale.

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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405. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence with reference to the strategic reach aircraft requirement noted in a Commission On Defence Report (details supplied), if this recommendation requires yet another aircraft type for the Air Corps with new support and operational resources or alternatively; if there are any aircraft types in service or coming into service which, if an additional airframe were to be procured, could fulfil this requirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51882/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Government’s priority is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained to the greatest extent possible. This is primarily to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles assigned by Government, as set out in the White Paper on Defence.

In this context, the principal aim over the period of the White Paper is to replace and upgrade, as required, existing capabilities in order to retain a flexible response for a wide range of operational requirements at home and overseas.

Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are being considered as part of the capability development and Equipment Development Planning (EDP) process. A five year Equipment Development Plan for continued re-equipment was developed on a civil military basis and was published in June 2020. The Equipment Planning process recognises the need to maintain and upgrade military capabilities having regard to emerging priorities, operational requirements and changes in technology. This is an ongoing iterative process.

The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, and I, as Minister for Defence, welcomed the publication of the report of the Commission on 9th February last. The Commission has undertaken a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference. It recommends significant changes for the Defence Forces and Defence provision in Ireland. It covers high level Defence Forces structures, defence capabilities, organisation, culture and human resources, the Reserve Defence Force and funding.

Given the significant recommendations contained in the Report, detailed consideration of these recommendations was undertaken over a period of 5 months by my Department and the Defence Forces. This involved significant inter-departmental consultation, and I and my officials have engaged with key stakeholders to ascertain their views. Following this engagement, I returned to Government with a High Level Action Plan and a Memo for Government which were approved on July 12th of this year. As part of this, Government approved a move over a six-year period to a level of Defence Forces’ capability equivalent to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2), as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission, which will entail funding increases to reach a defence budget of c. €1.5 billion (at January 2022 prices) by 2028 through the annual Estimates.

The recommendation of the Commission on the Defence Forces for the enhancement of the Air Corps’ fleet with the addition of a fixed wing aircraft has been agreed in principle and now requires an informed approach and full consideration in accordance with the Equipment Planning process.

As with all capital investment decisions, costing over €10 million, the requirements of the Public Spending Code will need to be met, covering the various steps required in assessing the viability of the proposal and those associated with relevant decision-making and potential subsequent public investment in any additional aircraft.

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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406. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence with reference to a recent evacuation mission by the Air Corps (details supplied), if he has undertaken a review of the mission; if a review did take place, if it examined the appropriateness of the mode of transport that was utilised such as a single engine aircraft; if he is satisfied that the specified mode of transport is suitable for future evacuation missions as they may arise; if his Department is considering the purchase of alternative air operational resources that offer safer enhanced airlift capability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51883/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Having regard to military advice concerning the safety and security of Defence Forces' personnel deployed to the MONUSCO mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and, having considered all options, the decision was taken to withdraw two personnel deployed in the mission area during August 2022.

This decision reflects the fact that the Department of Defence keeps the deployment of Defence Forces personnel overseas under constant review as well as ensuring that threat assessments are continuously kept up-to-date in all mission areas in which Defence Forces personnel are deployed.

Following the decision to withdraw the two people concerned, Air Corps assets were used to transport them and their equipment from Goma to Entebbe. The personnel continued home from Entebbe by commercial airlines and the Air Corps transported the equipment home.

As with all such operations, the Defence Forces will routinely review all aspects of this operation. Any lessons learned will, as normal, be taken on board to enhance the effectiveness of future operations.

A re-assessment of Ireland’s options in relation to MONUSCO is being carried out and will be completed in the coming months. Notwithstanding the withdrawal of the two personnel from this mission, we remain a strong supporter of the United Nations, MONUSCO and its engagement in the DRC.

With regard to enhanced airlift capabilities for the Air Corps, my priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained to the greatest extent possible in order to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles assigned by Government, as set out in the White Paper on Defence.

In this context, the principal aim over the period of the White Paper is to replace and upgrade, as required, existing capabilities in order to retain a flexible response for a wide range of operational requirements at home and overseas.

The White Paper provides for the replacement of the CASA 235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft with larger more capable aircraft, which would enhance maritime surveillance and provide a greater degree of utility for transport and cargo carrying tasks. A contract for the supply of two C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft was signed with Airbus Defence and Space in December 2019. The principal role of the C295 is maritime surveillance, particularly fishery protection. It will also enable the Air Corps to provide a wide range of services including logistics support and transport of troops and equipment, medical evacuation and air ambulance, search and rescue and a general utility role. The cost of the contract, including equipment fit-out and ancillary support, is approximately €228.3 million including VAT and the aircraft are scheduled for delivery next year. These aircraft when delivered will provide enhanced airlift capabilities for the Air Corps.

Notwithstanding the recommendation of the Commission on the Defence Forces to enhance the Air Corps fleet with the addition of a fixed wing aircraft with strategic reach capability, no decisions have been made in respect of the purchase of aircraft in other roles such as strategic airlift /strategic reach capability.