Vol. 416 No. 1
21 Mr. Kemmy asked the Minister for Defence the outcome of his discussions with the Chief of Staff and the Air Corps into the use by the Air Corps of helicopters in Cork on naval vessels; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
85 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Defence if a Dauphin helicopter has been permanently placed on the LE Eithne; if so, if he will outline the specific tasks it will be detailed to carry out; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 85 together.
There are two Dauphin helicopters equipped to operate from LE Eithne. Since late 1991 the Dauphin helicopter has operated from LE Eithne on fishery protection co-operation activities. While aboard LE Eithne the Dauphin is used to extend the surveillance range of the ship and is tasked to search out and locate fishing vessels to determine the legality of their activities. In this regard the Dauphins have been credited with assisting in eight recent detentions of illegal fishing vessels.
