Vol. 199 No. 1
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if, having regard to the further evidence of a need for a helicopter furnished by the hardship suffered by many people during the recent inclement weather, he will have steps taken to acquire a helicopter without further delay.
41.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is now prepared to purchase helicopters for his Department.
42.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power when a decision in regard to the provision of a helicopter service will be forthcoming; and if in view of the need for such a service, as evidenced by the distress caused by the recent weather, he will ensure that a favourable decision is arrived at without further delay.
43.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether a decision has yet been reached in respect of the provision of helicopters for sea-air rescue services and other purposes.
44.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if the Government have yet come to any decision regarding the provision of a helicopter service.
45.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether the interdepartmental committee considering the desirability of purchasing one or more helicopters for use in fishery and in rescue services, etc., have yet reached any conclusion; if so, what conclusion; and whether, in view of the hardships and suffering caused to isolated families and areas in recent weeks owing to adverse weather conditions, he will treat the provision of adequate rescue and aid services by helicopter as a matter of extreme urgency.
46.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether, in view of the fact that the vast majority of international airports are provided with helicopter rescue services, he will take immediate steps to provide such a service at Shannon Airport.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 and 46 together.
The Government have decided that some helicopters should be acquired——
Hear, hear.
It is about time they woke up.
——which will be available for sea and air rescue work, and which will also be made available on a repayment basis for commercial and other use. The number of helicopters will be the minimum considered to be essential for an emergency service. The service will be administered by the Minister for Defence.
The Minister's colleagues must have outvoted him.
Is the Minister in a position to indicate what number is regarded by the Government as a minimum?
A decision has not been made. I should think the minimum would be two.
Will the Minister say if, in the past three or four weeks, consideration was given to the hire of helicopters?
That would be for answer by the Minister for Local Government.
When is it likely that these helicopters will be provided and available?
I am unable to state that at this point.
Within the next few months?
During the present inclement weather?
Did the Minister say "two"?
I did not say "two". I said I should think the minimum would be two. It has not been decided.
Is it not a fact that the Minister, on an Adjournment Debate in this House, in reply to me three years ago said four helicopters would be required to make a practical service available? Has he altered his opinion on that?
A new type of helicopter has been emerging.
The Minister was outvoted by his colleagues.
It took the pounding of this House and public opinion to force the Minister to do what he should have done four years ago.
Can the Minister at this stage not indicate the month this year we are likely to get the helicopters? It looks very much a pie in the sky case still as long as the Minister cannot tell us the number and when we are likely to get them.
The matter is under investigation in the Department of Defence. They will be operated by the Department of Defence and the pilots have to be specially trained for this work.
Are we likely to have them in three months or six months?
Can the Minister give us any information as to whether it will take a long time for these helicopters to be delivered when the Government do make a decision?
It will depend on the type that is ordered.
Only for the rearguard action, there would be no agreement. You had to press him hard.
When I think of the number of rearguard actions that were never taken by the Deputy's Party, I do not think he can talk about helicopters.
The Minister never made a decision in his life except to pull up the rails.
