asked the Minister for Defence the reason for the reported long delay in diverting Irish naval vessels to the scene of the rescue operations following the recent Viscount crash.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Crashed Aircraft Rescue Operations.
36.
At the time of the Viscount crash on Sunday, 24th March, 1968, the LE "Macha" was on fishery patrol duty off the Donegal coast. The question of detailing her for rescue operations did not arise because of her position. When it became evident on Sunday night that the rescue effort would develop into a search operation and that this operation would be a prolonged one, the LE "Macha" was ordered to proceed to the search area which she reached at 7 a.m. on the 26th March.
The corvette LE "Cliona" was at Haulbowline undergoing repairs at the time of the crash and her officers and crew were on annual leave. The repairs were completed and the crew recalled from leave by 8 p.m. on the 26th March. The vessel reached the search area at 7.20 a.m. on the 27th March.
The third corvette LE "Maeve" has not been in service for some time.
Could the Minister indicate at what speed the LE "Macha" travelled from Donegal to the scene of the crash?
The distance was 330 miles and on the way down, she assisted a British vessel that was sinking off the County Louth coast. She remained there until the crew of that vessel were rescued by another trawler and she arrived in the search area at the time I have given. I have given the time she left and the time she arrived and there should not be much trouble in making the appropriate calculation.
Could the Minister not say what is her cruising speed?
That is a separate question.
That is a separate question: Question No. 37.
It is an important question—a matter of life or death.