Vol. 524 No. 5
148 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on the recent report compiled by the Air Corps into the level of rescue services at Air Corps airfields; the steps that are being taken to address the serious deficiencies in the rescue services identified in the report and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22970/00]
I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The safety of personnel working in the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, at home and overseas, is of paramount importance. Safety issues are monitored on an ongoing basis by the military authorities. Any necessary work to ensure the continued safety of Defence Forces personnel in carrying out their various tasks will be carried out with my full backing as a matter of priority.
Following recent media reports, I was advised that an internal report had been prepared by Air Corps personnel for the military authorities dealing with the issue of crash rescue services at Air Corps installations. The report suggested that the crash rescue services at these bases were inadequate.
As I have said, I take all safety issues very seriously. I arranged for an immediate briefing by senior military officers, including the General Officer commanding the Air Corps. The meeting took place on 10 October. At the briefing, I was presented with a copy of the internal military report. I received categoric assurances from the senior military officers present that any shortcomings identified in the report were being dealt with as a matter of urgency. I was also assured that there are no other safety questions of which I am not aware.
In this regard, last May, I raised with the military authorities the issue of a fire tender for Finner Camp, County Donegal where the Air Corps operate a Dauphin helicopter for search and rescue purposes. I undertook to have the fire tender provided and I instructed the military authorities, to whom responsibility for these types of purchases has been delegated for some time now, to initiate a tender process to acquire a new fire tender for Finner Camp. The fire tender is scheduled for delivery early next year. A new tender is also on order for Baldonnel.
I took the opportunity at the meeting to again impress to the senior military officers and the General Officer Commanding the Air Corps that safety standards in both equipment and facilities are of paramount importance. Funding is not an issue where safety is concerned. Funding is, and will continue to be, available to improve and modernise safety equipment.
Question No. 149 taken with Question No. 112.
