Vol. 398 No. 8
7 Mr. Moynihan asked the Minister for the Marine if his attention has been drawn to remarks by the Cork county coroner at the inquest into the tragic death of leading seaman, Michael Quinn to the effect that a more adequate helicopter search and rescue service could have saved his life; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
39 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for the Marine if his attention has been drawn to a number of reports suggesting that the air/sea rescue role should be transferred from the Air Corps to commercial enterprise; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
42 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Marine his views on whether the S61 helicopter owned by Irish Helicopters, a State subsidiary, is ideally suited to long distance air and sea rescue provided minor additional equipment is added; and the plans he has in this regard.
I propose to take Priority Question No. 7 and Parliamentary Questions Nos. 39 and 42 together.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my sympathy into the House, as I have done privately, to the family of Leading Seaman Quinn on his tragic death. I understand that a Naval inquiry into his death is continuing and, therefore, I would not like to comment further on the circumstances of his death.
Regarding the comments made by the Cork county coroner on the adequacy of the helicopter search and rescue service, the Review Group on Air/Sea Rescue Services have considered the various options for improving the air/sea rescue services and these options will be considered by the Government soon. I do not wish to make any statement on the various options prior to their being considered by Government.
I am not aware of any official reports suggesting that the air/sea rescue role should be transferred from the Air Corps to commercial enterprise. Suggestions have been made from time to time that current deployment by the Air Corps of Dauphin helicopters for search and rescue might be augmented by longer range helicopters provided on a contract basis by a private company. The company referred to by one of the Deputies has, as was indicated in my reply of 23 May 1989 — volume 390, column 779, No. 72 of the Official Debate — made an unsolicited offer of such a service. They are not the only company to express an interest in tendering for such a service. Therefore, it would be improper for me to discuss here the merits of any particular company's aircraft.
I should like to be associated with the Minister in conveying sympathy to the family of Leading Seaman Quinn on his tragic death. Is the Minister aware that the coroner's remarks were critical of the inadequacy of our rescue services? This accident occurred only one mile off the Irish coast and the question arises as to why a helicopter from Shannon was not used. That would have arrived at the scheme 20 minutes ahead of the RAF helicopter which travelled from Wales. That amount of time is vital in any rescue operation, particularly when an accident occurs at sea. Has the Minister any information as to why the helicopter service at Shannon, inadequate though it may be, was not used on this occasion?
The only reply I can make is that the decision was an operational one made by the people at Shannon. They were in the best position to make a judgment on that.
Will the Minister agree that our sea rescue service is most unsatisfactory, a matter that must be of great concern to the thousands of fishermen who operate off the Irish coast?
The Deputy is engaging in repetition.
The Deputy will be aware that there are other questions on this issue for reply today. The Deputy will find my replies informative.
