Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 26 Mar 1998

Vol. 489 No. 2

Written Answers. - Tuskar Rock Air Crash.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

105 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Defence if his Department, or the military authorities at any level, had or have any knowledge of HMS Penelope landing a large piece of wreckage, including a wheel, at either Milford Haven or Plymouth shortly after the Aer Lingus viscount disaster at Tuskar Rock on 24 March 1968; if he will have the matter fully investigated; if so, if he will publish the results of his investigation; if he will take whatever action is appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7793/98]

Brian O'Shea

Question:

106 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Defence if his Department, or the military authorities at any level, had or have knowledge of a number of armed war planes in the area on the day the Aer Lingus aircraft crashed at Tuskar Rock; if he will have the matter fully investigated; if so, if he will make the results of his investigations public; if he will take whatever subsequent action is appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7794/98]

Brian O'Shea

Question:

107 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Defence if his Department, or the military authorities at any level, have or had any knowledge of whether radar tapes or other evidence or information from 25 March 1968 existed or exist emanating from Killard Point RAF radar base near Strangford, County Down; if he will have the matter fully investigated; if so, if he will publish the findings of his investigations; if he will take whatever action is appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7795/98]

Brian O'Shea

Question:

108 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Defence if his Department, or the military authorities at any level, have or had any knowledge of an individual (details supplied); the part, if any, he played in the search and salvage operations following the Aer Lingus Viscount accident off Tuskar Rock on 24 March 1968; if he will have the matter fully investigated; if so, if he will publish the results of his investigation; if he will take whatever action is appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7796/98]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 105 to 108, inclusive, together.

A thorough investigation was carried out by the then Department of Transport and Power into this tragic accident, the report of which was published in 1970. The question of any further investigation would, therefore, be a matter for the Department of Public Enterprise.

I am advised by the military authorities that they have no knowledge of the specific matters referred to in the Deputy's questions.