Air Corps
The Air Corps has traditionally discharged a mix of functions based on the need to supply a range of different services such as search and rescue (SAR), fishery protection and ministerial air transport.
The Government has decided that the present broad profile of Air Corps roles will be maintained. The State will seek to provide:
Maintenance/generation of a 24-hour general helicopter capability for a variety of military and non-military tasks, including Garda support.
The provision of SAR capabilities on the basis of agreed arrangements with the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources.
The provision of a ministerial air transport service.
The provision of fishery protection patrol services to standards agreed with the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources.
The provision of an air ambulance service on the basis of agreed arrangements with the Department of Health and Children, and other transport services of a military or non-military kind.
The Department of the Marine and Natural Resources has primary responsibility for search and rescue and it must decide how it obtains SAR services.
At present, 24-hour helicopter SAR cover is provided on a contract basis by Bond Helicopters to the Irish Coastguard on the western seaboard from Shannon and on the east from Dublin Airport.
The question of whether the Dauphin aircraft should undergo a major refit due in 2001 and beyond, or be replaced by aircraft with enhanced capabilities, is being considered by the civil-military project board.
Naval Service
The Government has decided that the Naval Service will be developed around the provision of a modern eight-ship flotilla.
The primary activity of the Naval Service is providing fishery protection services. The most important indicators of performance in this area are the number of days spent at sea and the number of boardings of fishing vessels.
The Government has decided that action should be taken to increase both days at sea and the number of boardings. This will be achieved through a variety of measures:
A number of vessels of the flotilla will be manned and equipped primarily for fishery protection duties.
New vessels will be brought on stream to replace older ones as these fall due for replacement.
A range of effectiveness and efficiency measures arising from the Price Waterhouse review of the Naval Service will be implemented.
Reserve Defence Force
A Reserve Defence Force (RDF) has been maintained in one form or another since the foundation of the State. There is a need to build a newly-focused RDF, based on the strengths of the existing arrangements, but providing for future needs through a radical new approach.
The overwhelming conclusion reached by a study of the RDF is that real and sustained change is required. A new RDF will be created. Its blueprint will involve:
An Army Reserve, with a total strength in the region of 12,000, which will replace An Forsa Cosanta (FCA).
A Naval Reserve - An Slua Muiri.
A first-line reserve comprising former PDF officers, non-commissioned officers and privates with active and non-active components.
Overseas Peace Support Operations
Ireland is consistently among the leading contributors of personnel to UN peacekeeping operations. With up to 7 per cent of the PDF serving abroad at any one time, this is a very significant manpower commitment. The current level of commitment is equivalent to over 9 per cent of Army strength.
The Defence Forces will, subject to domestic security requirements, continue to contribute to peace support activities overseas. At present, Ireland subscribes to the United Nations Standby Arrangements System (UNSAS), under which the State offers to provide up to 850 personnel on overseas service at any given time.
The aim will be to maintain the overall UNSAS commitment of 850 for the present.
Partnership for Peace (PfP)
Ireland joined Partnership for Peace (PfP) on December 1st, 1999.
Partnership for Peace provides a framework for co-operation between countries on a range of security, defence, humanitarian and other initiatives. The overall objectives of PfP are consistent with Ireland's approach to international peace and European security. It involves voluntary and non-binding co-operation through a bilateral agreement with NATO limited to those areas of interest to the country concerned.
Participation in PfP does not involve membership of NATO and will not bring Ireland into any form of alliance involving mutual defence commitments. It does not constitute or imply any undertaking or intention to become a member of NATO at any time in the future. Participation in PfP does not affect Ireland's long-standing policy of military neutrality, nor is PfP in conflict with our traditional support for UN peacekeeping operations.
Finance and Budgeting
Expenditure on defence in 1999 amounted to about £550 million, including some £80 million under the Army Pensions Vote. This year's Estimates for Public Services provide for a gross expenditure on defence of some £609 million, comprising £522 million under the Defence Vote and £87 million under the Army Pensions Vote.
In 2000 the largest single element of expenditure will be the pay of the Defence Forces which, when combined with the pay cost of the civilians employed at military barracks, amounts to £324 million.
The need to provide in the Defence Vote for compensation payments to serving and retired members of the Defence Forces in respect of claims for loss of hearing continues to be a major cost to the Exchequer. In 1999 total expenditure on compensation was £44.5 million, of which about £40 million was in respect of loss of hearing claims. The provision for compensation in 2000 is £57 million.
Having regard to the need for increased investment in equipment for the Defence Forces, the Government has decided that the pay savings arising from the restructuring of the PDF detailed in the White Paper should be retained in full in the Defence Vote. These savings are estimated at £25 million a year when fully implemented. Similarly, proceeds arising from the sale of further military properties will be fully reinvested in equipment and infrastructural facilities for the Defence Forces, in addition to the extra £5 million per year to be provided to meet urgent Air Corps equipment requirements.