asked the Minister for Health if he will state (a) the number of times the British Navy helicopters stationed in Northern Ireland have taken people living in the Republic of Ireland to hospitals, (b) the average cost of each such operation, and (c) upon whom devolves the responsibility for meeting such expenses.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Use of British Navy Helicopters.
70.
Mr. O'Malley
There has been no instance in recent years of a health authority obtaining the services of a British Navy helicopter to convey a patient to hospital. I understand, however, that during July last the Shiel Hospital, Ballyshannon, asked for and obtained the services of a helicopter from the naval base at Derry to transfer to a Belfast hospital a resident of Northern Ireland who had become a patient of the Donegal hospital, and suffering from serious injuries. The Minister for Health had no function in regard to the matter.
I have no official information as to charges made for the helicopters mentioned. Normally any such charges would be the responsibility of the authority seeking the service.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.