228. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the date on which the four Pilatus PC-12 aircraft operated by the Air Corps were grounded; the expected date for the return of the fleet to operational service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60429/26]

229. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the contingency arrangements that have been put in place to provide air ambulance and emergency aeromedical evacuation cover, and to provide aerial surveillance support to An Garda Síochána, the Army and the Naval Service, for the duration of the grounding of the Pilatus PC-12 fleet; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60435/26]

230. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the reason a manual maintenance check of the Pilatus PC-12 fleet identified maintenance issues that were not identified by the computerised Maintenance Information System used to track scheduled maintenance; the period over which any such misalignment persisted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60441/26]

231. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the number of scheduled maintenance items found to be misaligned or outstanding across the Pilatus PC-12 fleet; the nature of those items; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60450/26]

232. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether any of the four Pilatus PC-12 aircraft were operated, including on medical evacuation or surveillance tasking, while scheduled maintenance items were overdue or misaligned; the assurance available that the aircraft were airworthy throughout that period notwithstanding the holding of current Military Airworthiness Review Certificates; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60456/26]

235. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence given that the procurement of the Pilatus PC-12 fleet included substantial expenditure on spares, whether any shortage or unavailability of spares or parts is a factor in the grounding or in its expected duration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60480/26]

236. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether an internal review or audit has been, or will be, commissioned into the maintenance and airworthiness management of the Pilatus PC-12 fleet; where responsibility rests for the maintenance tracking system found to be misaligned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60489/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 235 and 236 together.

I am advised that the military authorities took an operational decision to pause flying operations in respect of the PC 12 fleet, while they conducted a review of this platform's maintenance regime.

All Air Corps aircraft and equipment are maintained in accordance with the Air Corps' maintenance regulations, the Air Regulation Manual Part E (ARM E), which establishes the regulatory standards for the continuing airworthiness of all aircraft and equipment.

For avoidance of doubt, direct command and control of assets, as well as specific tactical deployment decisions, remain the remit of the military authorities. Furthermore, the Air Corps have a fully delegated fleet management budget to ensure that the fleet is maintained property and is fully operational. The day to day management of this budget falls within the remit of the military authorities.

My officials have actively been engaging with the military authorities regarding the issues identified with the PC-12 fleet and I understand will report to me when the Defence Forces have concluded their assessment.