asked the Minister for Defence where the helicopters are to be based.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Helicopter Bases.
19.
The helicopters purchased by my Department will be based at Baldonnel Aerodrome, County Dublin.
Would the Minister not think it more advantageous to have one of the helicopters based either on the west or south of Ireland for the purpose of rescues in the Atlantic ? Would he care to tell the House how long it would take a helicopter to travel from Baldonnel to 50 miles out in the Atlantic in an emergency ?
My information is that you may not have fewer than three helicopters together if you are to have a reliable service. As the Deputy knows, we are getting three helicopters, and we have already received delivery of two.
In regard to the other point, it would take two hours for a helicopter to travel from Baldonnel to the remotest point of our territorial waters.
Would the Minister further indicate to the House when he gets the third helicopter where he intends to base it ?
At Baldonnel.
The Minister will accept the fact it would be more advantageous in an emergency rescue to have that helicopter based at a point whence it could get to the rescue quickly?
Experience of helicopter services has demonstrated that you must have three helicopters together to be sure of always having one available. We are getting three.
Question No. 20 postponed.