asked the Minister for Defence if he will state in respect of each of the last five years the number of occasions on which planes of the Army Air Corps were used in connection with live-saving efforts; and if in view of the tradition of giving Army help in the relief of disaster on land and sea he will review the possibility of the acquisition by the Army of helicopters.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Helicopters.
118.
Mr. Ryan
The reply to the first part of the Deputy's question is as follows:—
|
1957 |
3 occasions |
|
1958 |
3,, |
|
1959 |
4,, |
|
1960 |
3,, |
|
1961 |
2,, |
With regard to the second part, as I indicated in reply to previous questions on this matter on the 16th November last the purchase of helicopters for Army purposes is not at present contemplated. The whole question of the advisability of providing a helicopter rescue service is being considered by an Inter-Departmental Committee recently set up by the Minister for Transport and Power and my Department is represented on that Committee.