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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Jun 1963

Vol. 203 No. 6

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Purchase of Helicopters.

92.

asked the Minister for Defence whether the contract for the purchase of helicopters by his Department has been signed; what type or make of helicopter is being purchased; when they will be delivered; and what is the price of each of them.

93.

asked the Minister for Defence the total cost of the three helicopters to be purchased; whether any reciprocal arrangements were made with France for the purchase by her of Irish goods; and, if so, what were these arrangements.

94.

asked the Minister for Defence the rescue potential of the Alouette helicopters when taking personnel from shipwrecks.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 92, 93 and 94 together.

A contract was signed on 28 Bealtaine, 1963, for the supply of three helicopters and associated equipment. The type of helicopter selected is the Alouette III. The rescue potential of this helicopter when taking personnel from shipwrecks is four sitting persons or two stretcher cases at a time. Delivery of two helicopters is expected before the end of 1963 and the third machine will be delivered in Aibreán, 1964. It is not the practice to divulge prices in the case of Government contracts. It may be stated, however, that the total cost of the helicopters, spare parts and basic training courses is estimated not to exceed £230,000. In connection with the purchase of the Alouette III helicopters no reciprocal arrangements were made with France for the purchase by her of Irish goods.

Can the Minister say why no reciprocal arrangements were made? Is he not aware that our trade balance with France is heavily adverse? When a Government contract for almost a quarter of a million pounds was going a-begging, was that not the time to ensure that France would buy an adequate quantity of goods from us?

That was not the consideration which the experts advising the Minister for Defence were asked to take into account.

Is the Minister not aware that his colleague, the Minister for Industry and Commerce, introduced a Bill here expressing that to be the whole purpose in relation to private transactions? If that is so in relation to private transactions, why do not the Government know their own job and carry out the same procedure?

This was work to be done by experts. If it were to be complicated by commercial complications, we would not have got the best value.

You have made a botch of it.

Are the Minister and the Government satisfied that three helicopters will provide an adequate rescue service and if so, have the Government altered their view previously expressed in the House that a minimum of six helicopters were required?

That is a separate question.

The question was about the rescue potential and I am asking if the Government are satisfied that three will provide the minimum service required?

I am advised that if you are to have one helicopter always available for service, you must maintain three. Whether that is adequate or not would, in my opinion, depend on the special circumstances of any emergency.

I suppose three are better than none.

You will be squealing about the cost of maintaining them.

You got a "beltin' " already and you will be getting another one in a minute.

You are welcome to him.

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