Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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170. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence for an update in relation to the replacement of the Government's Learjet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32153/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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In January 2023, following a review of extensive Public Spending Code work carried out on behalf of the Interdepartmental Ministerial Air Transport Service Review Group, I instructed my officials to move the MATS project to procurement stage, considering both new and second-hand replacement capability, which can also provide a broader utility role, including strategic reach in crisis situations and medical evacuation.

Given the unknown delivery timeframes associated with aircraft procurements, and concerns around Learjet availability, I also instructed officials to go to the market for a contingency arrangement by way of charter aircraft, to limit the risk of a gap in the availability of a Ministerial Air Transport Service when required.

To that end a civil /military team has been established to progress both procurements. The team are currently working on developing the aircraft specification and are progressing work to identify the most appropriate procurement strategy for the replacement aircraft. In parallel a Request for Tender for the establishment of a Framework Agreement as a Contingency Arrangement for MATS was published in April this year. That procurement process is ongoing and will be concluded shortly.

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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171. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence for an update in relation to the PC-12 and CASA CN 235 aircrafts damaged in March 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32154/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that on 2 March 2023 a CASA CN 235 aircraft, while in the process of being towed out of a hangar, collided with a parked PC-12 aircraft at Casement Aerodrome Baldonnel. A comprehensive flight safety investigation was immediately initiated by the Irish Air Corps into this incident, and this investigation is ongoing.

The PC-12 aircraft has been repaired and returned to service. The CASA CN235 aircraft has been repaired, and is now undergoing comprehensive scheduled maintenance in the Airbus maintenance facility in Spain which will take a number of months to complete.