asked the Minister for Defence if the helicopters of the Air Corps are unable to operate at night because of lack of night flying aids; and, if so, the steps which are being taken to remedy this situation.
21.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Helicopter Night Flying.
20.
asked the Minister for Defence when the helicopters used by the armed forces will have the proper equipment to enable them to engage in night flying and night rescue work.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 21 together.
The single-engined Alouette III helicopters used by the Air Corps can be flown only in visual flying conditions, day or night, as the pilots fly and remain orientated by reference to external visual aids, for example the horizon, view of the ground and so forth.
In order to have the capability of flying in conditions of reduced visability such as at night or as may arise during daytime because of bad weather, a helicopter must have two engines and be equipped with special stabilisation systems and instrumentation, navigational and landing aids to enable the pilot to conduct the flight under instrument flight rules. The Alouette III helicopters have not got this capability.
The provision of a twin-engined helicopter which would be capable of flying on instruments, day or night, is under active consideration. While such instruments would give a capability of flying at night or in reduced visibility, they would not provide the capability of landing in these conditions without assistance from ground aids. At present these aids are available at national airports only.
I appreciate the Minister's suggestion that the matter is under active consideration. However, last year when we were discussing the Defence Estimate I mentioned the urgent need for twin-engined helicopters and in the last few weeks that need has been seen to exist. Will the Minister give a definite commitment that a contract will be placed shortly for such helicopters?
As I have already announced—it was reported in the newspapers—there is provision in the 1979 Defence Estimate for the acquisition of a twin-engined helicopter. The provision in this year's Estimate is to enable a down payment to be made. At the moment, the various options and the makes of helicopters are being evaluated by the Air Corps and when a decision has been made I hope a contract will be placed.
We must bear in mind the urgency of this need, particularly because of the Whiddy disaster. I should, therefore, like the Minister to tell the House what the time lag would be between an order being placed and the delivery of the aircraft.
I am not sure what the Deputy was getting at in the first part of his question. I am aware of the great part played by the Air Corps helicopter service in the tragic events at Bantry. I am sure the Deputy will join with me in complimenting the Army and Air Corps personnel involved for their great efforts on that sad occasion.
I agree, but they were not capable of being on call in the early morning because of the lack of these facilities. I understand the RAF rendered excellent service——
I am not sure what the RAF did at 2 a.m. that morning in the dark. None of their helicopters were capable of carrying out a search in the dark.
But they were called in at a time when the Air Corps were not capable of being called.
I should like to explore the reason why they were called in because I cannot see that they performed any useful function or that they could have before daylight.
That can be explored at the public inquiry. The point is that the Air Corps should have such facilities. The Minister did not deal with the question I asked about the time that would elapse between a decision to order and the delivery. Would there be a considerable delay?
I am advised that as soon as a decision has been made on the type and make of helicopter which the Air Corps will recommend, the order can be placed and the delivery date could be anything up to a year thereafter. The evaluation has not been completed and I am therefore not in a position to make a statement. I hope that when the evaluation has been done the Deputy will put down another question, about the end of March.
Both sides of the House compliment the Air Corps on the tremendous work they did at Whiddy. Can the Minister tell us who called in the RAF?
It does not arise on the question.
The Minister mentioned the RAF.
It was Deputy O'Keeffe who mentioned them.
Was it the Department of Defence who called them in?
I queried why they had been called in and what they were doing there.
Was it the Department of Defence?
There is nothing in the question about this.
It is a simple question.
It is, but I will not permit it to be asked.