Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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191. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the types of flights and missions the Air Corps CASA CN 235s are suitable for and engage in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22467/23]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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193. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the flights flown by the Air Corps CASA CN 235s in April 2023; the downtime or maintenance periods, if any, arising from such flights or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22469/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 191 and 193 together.

My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed in order to retain a flexible response for a wide range of operational requirements, as assigned by Government.

The two (2) CASA CN235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft operated by the Air Corps are primarily used for maritime surveillance, particularly fishery protection in accordance with our obligations as a member of the EU. The aircraft conduct aerial surveillance activity within the Irish EEZ which equates to 132,000 square nautical miles - or five times the land area of Ireland, 16% of the total EU fisheries area.

In April 2023 the aircraft conducted a total of seven missions, six of which were maritime surveillance operations and one Ministerial Air Transport operation.

In addition to maritime surveillance, the CASA CN235s can be used for a range of taskings:

• Air Ambulance missions in support of the HSE.
• Aid to Civil Power - Repatriation of prisoners from other jurisdictions.
• Aid to Civil Authority - Humanitarian or compassionate support operations.
• Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS).
• Military /Logistics Support flights.
• Support to Irish Coast Guard.
• Various other supports to Government agencies such as Revenue and Inland Fisheries Ireland.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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192. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the flights flown by the Air Corps Learjet 45 in April 2023; the downtime or maintenance periods, if any, arising from such flights or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22468/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS) is delivered primarily by the use of the Learjet 45 aircraft, which came into operation in 2004. Where it is unavailable, the CASA and/or other Air Corps aircraft may be used.

The Learjet is currently approaching its natural end of life. Based on current serviceability issues, discontinuation of manufacturer support and limited part availability for this type of older aircraft, the Air Corps estimate that the aircraft will require replacement by 2024 , and planning is underway in my Department in this regard.

The Learjet was on scheduled maintenance from the 19^thof December 2022 in the UK. This was a planned event to cover required maintenance events but it was extended due to delays in acquiring required parts. On that basis, the Learjet did not conduct any flights in April 2023.