The following is an extract from the text of the reply given by the Minister for Defence to a question about Ireland's air defence cababilities in the Dail on 11 May. As such, the information is already in the public domain.
"A key issue in detection and prevention is the availability and effective analysis of information and intelligence. The likelihood of a terrorist threat to Ireland is being continually assessed and there is ongoing contact and very good co-operation between the Garda and the Defence Forces in this regard. The advice available to me suggests that there is no reason to believe at this time that Ireland or Irish airspace is a direct target."
"However, it is prudent that we take precautions and keep matters under continuous review. The assets available to the Defence Forces are related to the level of threat and are considered appropriate in this regard. An air defence capability requires the integrated use of aircraft, radar and air and ground based weapons systems. The Defence Forces have a limited ground-to-air capacity, and that has always been the position. The new trainer aircraft will enhance the airborne elements of our air defence capability. However, we will still continue to operate a limited air-to-air and air-to-ground defence capability."
"The Air Corps has a total of 21 fixed wing aircraft and 15 helicopters in the fleet. Outside that it would be inappropriate of me to go into detail about the readiness, deployment arrangements or speed of deployment or redeployment of air defence assets. However, all aircraft have adequate numbers of operationally trained aircrew who can operate from Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, which is available on a 24 hour basis as required, and that the shortest call-out time applicable in the Air Corps in certain circumstances is two minutes."
"The role of the Pilatus aircraft being acquired for the Air Corps is as a pilot trainer aircraft to train Air Corps pilots in basic flying and in air combat techniques. The aircraft can also be armed with machine guns and rocket systems."
"The Defence Forces have one Giraffe mobile air defence radar with a range of up to 40 km and eight Flycatcher mobile air defence fire control radars with a range of 20 km. Twenty-four Bofors L70 air defence guns were purchased from the Royal Netherlands Air Force following the events of 11 September 2001. These weapons are controlled directly by the Flycatcher radars. The projected capability of these guns allows for the simultaneous protection of four airports plus a reserve. The Defence Forces also have six Bofors RBS missile launchers for use with the Giraffe radar. The radar systems have the capacity to detect overflights by aircraft and the air
defence regiment is fully trained in the use of the guns. The weapons systems on the new Pilatus aircraft will provide a further capability in terms of air defence."
"Ireland has traditionally had a limited military air capability. Aspirations to broaden the range of available air based capabilities are understandable but have to be balanced against real world constraints. Given the enormous costs involved, few small countries possess the ability to provide a comprehensive air based defence capability. The choice must tthen lie between maintaining an essentially token force to address all dimensions of national defence or seeking to perform a selected range of tasks to a professional standard. The latter option has been the one chosen in Ireland."
