asked the Minister for Transport and Power the number of occasions annually in the past ten years when a helicopter or helicopters from Northern Ireland have been in action to assist in the saving of life from storm, accident or sickness in Irish territorial areas, or in cases involving Irish citizens or aeroplanes flying to or from Irish airports; and if he will state the facts of each case.
Written Answers. - Northern Ireland Helicopters.
23.
I am aware of only four occasions during the past ten years on which helicopters were in action to assist in rescue work in Irish territorial areas. The helicopters were all based in Derry. On 2nd March, 1956, ten men who had already safely disembarked from a British motor vessel which had run aground on Roaninish Island, following failure of her engine, were taken from the island to Portnoo by two helicopters. On 22nd October, 1960, a helicopters assisted in removing the crew from a Greek cargo ship, which had run aground on a reef north of Innishtrahull lighthouse, to a British frigate. According to reports, 44 men were removed by the ship's lifeboats and the Portrush lifeboat and 15 by helicopter.
I am informed by the Department of Health that on two occasions, one in 1956 and one in 1958, a patient was removed from Tory Island to Derry by helicopter. Both of these cases were arranged privately and I have no knowledge of the circumstances.