Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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107. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if, following an investment of €230 million on two Airbus 295 Maritime surveillance aircraft delivered in June and October 2023, he will provide a detailed explanation on the terms ‘IOC’ and ‘FOC’, their sub levels and what they mean in terms of the capability of the aircraft; if FOC has been reached; and if not, the reason therefor. [4233/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The use of the terms IOC and FOC is a nomenclature adopted by the military authorities, who define same as follows :

-Initial Operating Capability (IOC) is defined as the state achieved when a military capability is available in its minimum usefully deployable form; with

- Final Operating Capability (FOC) is defined as the state achieved when the operating Unit has accepted all of the new systems and has the ability to employ and maintain them.

The attainment of full operating capability falls within the remit of the military authorities who have advised my Department that full FOC in respect of the full range of activities for the C295 has not been attained and same is expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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108. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence how missions and flying hours completed by the Air Corps in support of the wider Defence Forces are accounted for; the reason these statistics are not reported on in the Defence Forces annual report; and if, with the introduction next year of a transport variant of the Airbus 295, the flying hours completed by this aircraft in support of the Defence Forces will be reported on in the annual report. [4234/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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It has been a long standing practice that the aforementioned report provides extensive details in relation to Air Corps supports provided to the civil authorities. While my Department will consider the issue of publication of wider statistical details, the Deputy will appreciate that such a consideration will, by necessity, be guided by the principle of not commenting specifically on operational and training activities.