Ken O'Flynn

169. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether any service improvement targets have been set for reducing turnaround times for first-time passport applications in 2026 and 2027; and if so, to provide details. [36101/26]

170. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether the existing data-sharing arrangement between the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration and the Passport Service allows for automated verification of naturalisation certificates; and if not, whether further digital integration is planned. [36102/26]

171. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether any assessment has been undertaken regarding duplication of identity verification requirements between the naturalisation process and subsequent first-time passport applications for newly naturalised citizens; and if so, to provide details of the findings. [36103/26]

195. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the current status of the proposed procurement of medium-lift or super medium-lift helicopters as recommended by the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces; whether a procurement process has commenced or is planned; the estimated timeline for any such acquisition programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36007/26]

196. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether the acquisition of the four Airbus H145 helicopters is intended by the Department to satisfy, replace, defer, or partially fulfil the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces relating to medium-lift helicopter capability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36008/26]

197. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether alternative rotary-wing aircraft platforms, including lower-cost light utility helicopter configurations, were evaluated during the procurement process for the four Airbus H145 helicopters; whether comparative operational, training, maintenance, lifecycle, and value-for-money assessments were conducted between aircraft categories; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36014/26]

198. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the primary operational rationale underpinning the selection of the Airbus H145 platform for the Air Corps; whether the procurement was principally intended to address pilot training, utility transport, air ambulance support, tactical deployment, maritime support, or multi-role operational capability requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36015/26]

199. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether a cost-benefit analysis was conducted comparing the acquisition of a smaller number of higher-capability helicopters versus a larger number of lower-cost rotary-wing aircraft for Air Corps operational and training requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36016/26]

200. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether the Department conducted a formal operational requirements analysis prior to the acquisition of the Airbus H145 helicopters for the Air Corps; whether alternative aircraft categories or configurations were assessed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36212/26]

201. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether the lifecycle operating costs, maintenance costs, and projected service-life costs associated with the Airbus H145 helicopters were independently assessed prior to procurement approval; whether comparative modelling was undertaken against alternative rotary-wing platforms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36213/26]

202. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether the Government considered the acquisition of a larger number of lower-cost helicopters in place of a smaller number of higher-capability aircraft for pilot training, utility support, and general Air Corps operational requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36214/26]

203. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether the acquisition of the Airbus H145 helicopters forms part of a wider long-term rotary-wing fleet modernisation strategy for the Air Corps; whether additional helicopter acquisitions remain planned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36215/26]

204. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether her Department has conducted any assessment of the strategic implications arising from dependence upon foreign-origin mission systems, avionics, software, or specialist operational components in relation to the Airbus H145 fleet; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36216/26]

205. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether the Airbus H145 helicopters procured for the Air Corps are intended solely for pilot training and utility support purposes, or whether the aircraft are also intended for operational, tactical, security, force-protection, or armed support roles; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36217/26]

206. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether any weapons systems, weapons mounts, weapons integration capability, force-protection systems, or armed operational configurations have been procured, approved, planned, or considered in connection with the Airbus H145 helicopters acquired for the Air Corps; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36218/26]

207. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether Cabinet approval was specifically sought in relation to any armed operational capability, weapons integration capability, or tactical mission configuration associated with the Airbus H145 helicopters; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36219/26]

208. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether her Department has developed an operational doctrine, mission profile framework, or strategic capability assessment relating to the intended operational use of the Airbus H145 helicopters within the Air Corps; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36220/26]

209. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether the Airbus H145 helicopters acquired for the Air Corps are capable of being configured for armed operations, tactical deployment, counter-terrorism support, force protection, or special operations support; whether such capabilities formed part of the procurement assessment process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36221/26]

210. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether any review has been conducted into the consistency of current State aviation procurement policy across the Defence Forces, Air Corps, and Garda Air Support Unit, including procurement standards, certification arrangements, operational oversight, and compliance with stated Government procurement policies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36226/26]

211. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether the Department of Defence or Air Corps will assume responsibility for airworthiness oversight, operational certification, or regulatory assurance relating to the Airbus H145 helicopters procured for use by the Garda Air Support Unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36229/26]

212. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether the Government has conducted a legal or regulatory assessment concerning Ireland's international civil aviation obligations in relation to the operation, certification and oversight of State or military aircraft utilised in support of An Garda Síochána operations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36230/26]

221. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport whether any public representatives, Oireachtas offices, constituency offices or public bodies were previously provided with or directed to use the email address tdrepsappeals@ndls.ie; and if so, by whom and during what period. [36202/26]

222. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport whether the RSA or NDLS has undertaken any internal review to determine whether correspondence from public representatives may have been sent to an inactive or unmonitored email address; and if he will provide details of such review. [36203/26]

223. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the number of complaints received from public representatives regarding delayed or unanswered driver licensing representations in 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026. [36204/26]

224. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport whether the RSA maintains formal service-level targets for responding to correspondence from public representatives; and if so, to provide those targets. [36205/26]