Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 April 2026
180. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the policy and oversight arrangements in place to monitor the operational readiness of the Air Corps fleet; the percentage availability rates for each aircraft type over the past five years; and whether he will provide the current availability rate for each platform. [27813/26]
View answer189. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the reporting structures in place within her Department to monitor Air Corps operational capability; whether regular performance reports are produced; and if she will provide copies of the most recent reports. [27822/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 189 together.
Defence Forces operational plans and response capabilities are subject to normal operational security reporting restrictions and are not disclosed for operational security reasons. In this context, the Department of Defence receives operational and readiness reports for situational awareness purposes only. Direct command and control of assets, as well as specific tactical deployment decisions, remain the remit of the military authorities. Comprehensive data regarding Air Corps activities is publicly available in the Department of Defence and Defence Forces Annual Report (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-defence/collections/annual-reports). The Annual Report 2025 has not yet been published and it will be made available in due course. For ease of reference, I will arrange to have latest Annual Report forwarded to the Deputy.
