13. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an overview of the procurement of additional assets for the Air Corps and the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5668/25]

Sentiment score: 0.10

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Tánaiste as ucht a bheith i láthair inniu chun an cheist seo a fhreagairt. I am extremely proud that Casement Aerodrome, the headquarters of the Air Corps is based in Baldonnel in my constituency, Dublin Mid-West. Like Deputy Cleere, I would love to invite the Tánaiste to visit the facility and see the tremendous work our personnel in the Air Corps do. My question relates to the procurement of additional assets for the Air Corps and Naval Service. One of the key recommendations made in the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces was to ensure the Naval Service and the Air Corps have adequate equipment. I would welcome the Tánaiste's initial thoughts on that matter.

Sentiment score: 0.43

I agree with the Minister that the planned upgrade for the Baldonnel site is extremely exciting. I am looking forward to seeing progress on that. I am aware that South Dublin County Council is extremely engaged on that overall, aside from the connectivity that was made available for personnel who work in the aerodrome. On the specific questions relating to equipment, I welcome the Minister's responses and thank him. Will he provide more information on the progress that is being made in acquiring the new multirole vessel to replace the decommissioned flagship LÉ Eithne? We need a flagship but we also need that multirole vessel. Will the Minister provide more information on the development and procurement of a primary radar system, including the recognised air picture functionality? As we move towards LOA2 are there further plans, outside of what he has outlined, to purchase additional aircraft or additional medium-lift helicopters?

Sentiment score: 0.35

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht an fhreagra sin. I welcome very much the fact that the product team has been put in place, and that the Minister has asked for a more certain timeline in the delivery of that equipment. I believe it will be the first time an Irish Government will buy that sort of equipment. Perhaps the Minister will speak a little bit as to how the Minister is keeping value for money at top of his mind and what is the approach being taken to procurement to ensure that the equipment we purchase is adequate for our needs and also ensures value for the taxpayer. I thank the Minister for the information relating to the acquisition of the multirole vessel. I will be watching that with interest. I welcome the delivery later on this year of the Airbus C-295 military transport aircraft. Airlift capacity is something that we need to make sure we are not reliant on friends and neighbours for delivery of our citizens wherever they may be in whatever trouble spots around the world.

Sentiment score: 0.21