Other Questions - Air Corps Accident.
Pat Rabbitte
Question:
109
Mr. Rabbitte
asked the
Minister for Defence
the arrangement which existed between the Department of Defence and Waterford Regional Airport, County Waterford, regarding the provision of air traffic control when the Air Corps Dauphin helicopter commenced its SAR operations in July 1999; the reason no air traffic control cover was available when the Dauphin was called out on the operation on which it crashed with the loss of four lives; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[22968/00]
Jack Wall
Question:
145
Mr. Wall
asked the
Minister for Defence
the steps that have been taken, or are planned, to implement the recommendations of the report of the air accident investigations unit into the crash of an Air Corps helicopter in Tramore, County Waterford in July 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[22966/00]
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:
146
Mr. Broughan
asked the
Minister for Defence
if any internal disciplinary action is planned against any personnel arising from the report of the air accident investigations unit into the crash of the Air Corps helicopter with the loss of four lives in Tramore, County Waterford in July 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[22969/00]
Mr. M. Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 109, 145 and 146 together.
The recent publication of the final report by the air accident investigation unit of the Department of Public Enterprise into the accident at Tramore, County Waterford, on 2 July 1999, in which four members of the Air Corps, Captain David O'Flaherty, Captain Michael Baker, Sergeant Paddy Mooney and Corporal Niall Byrne, were tragically killed, evoked many sad memories for the families of the victims, for the Defence Forces and for the public in general. I, once again, pay a most sincere tribute to those brave men who gave their lives in the service of others.
The report is a very comprehensive and detailed document and I welcome its publication. The purpose of the investigation was to determine the circumstances and cause, or causes, of the accident in order to prevent future such accidents. It was not the purpose of the accident investigation nor the investigation report to apportion blame or liability.
With regard to the question raised by Deputy Rabbitte in relation to the provision of air traffic control services, the position from the outset was that out of hours air traffic control as well as crash rescue services was to be provided by Waterford Airport Company. This matter was the subject of ongoing correspondence and discussion between my Department and the manager of Waterford Airport from early August 1998. The manager of Waterford Airport set out in a letter to the Department of Defence on 7 January 1999 that all conditions, with the exception of the rate of pay, in relation to the provision of after hours services had been agreed with his employees. It was stated that the employees had agreed to a roster that would provide a 45 minute standby cover for marine emergencies with a crew of three, one tower and two rescue crew, outside current published opening hours. The one outstanding issue at that time was the rate of pay and the manager sought the advice of my Department in this respect in order that he might establish an appropriate rate relative to any other such situations and since the Department would be refunding the costs. Ongoing contact ensued and on 25 June 1999, the Department of Finance sanctioned the public funding necessary to meet the call out allowance being sought by Waterford Airport. This approval was immediately relayed to the manager of Waterford Airport, who indicated that staff negotiations had not yet been completed. However, he reiterated earlier assurances to the Department that after hours cover would in any case be provided by Waterford Airport with effect from 1 July 1999. With regard to the position obtaining in relation to these services on the night of the ill-fated mission, I refer the Deputy to the report where the matter is dealt with in some detail.
All of the safety recommendations set out in the report which call for action by the Department and the Defence Forces are being considered as a matter of priority with a view to their immediate implementation. A number of recommendations which call for action by the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources are being closely examined in that Department. A safety recommendation in relation to potential hazards to rescuers associated with sites of serious aircraft accidents is a matter for a number of Departments and agencies.
I have put in place arrangements to monitor progress in regard to the implementation of the recommendations. In this regard, the initial meeting of a working group was held in the Department of Defence on 5 October 2000, involving representatives from my Department, including the Defence Forces, as well as from the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources. This group will meet on a regular basis to ensure the speedy implementation of the safety recommendations set out in the report. Progress reports from the various bodies involved will be presented and reviewed, following which composite progress reports will be presented to me at regular intervals.
Action has begun to implement the recommendation that the Department of Defence should commission, on behalf of the Air Corps, an independent air operations safety audit by an agency with a proven track record of expertise in military aviation. In this regard my Department has asked the Department of Public Enterprise to advise regarding the sourcing of appropriate expertise to carry out the recommended air operations safety audit. I have directed that this audit be carried out at the earliest time possible and all support necessary will be provided by my Depart ment and the Defence Forces to the chosen agency to carry out its work. In addition, an air safety office in the Air Corps as recommended in the report is being established with immediate effect. An air safety officer has been appointed by the general officer commanding the Air Corps to this position.
In addition to the air accident unit investigation, following the accident a military court of inquiry was convened to inquire into the circumstances of the accident. Its main thrust will be an examination of both the final report of the air accident investigation unit and the coroner's report. The military court of inquiry, which was awaiting publication of the final report, assembled at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, on 16 October 2000 and its work will proceed once the coroner's court findings are received – I understand that the coroner's court is scheduled for today, 24 October 2000. I assure the House that all findings and recommendations of the court of inquiry in question will be fully considered and appropriate action taken as necessary.
This is a serious matter that has been—
A brief supplementary, Deputy. We are running out of time.
I am coming to that. This is a serious situation and we are now saying that the manager of Waterford Airport stated that, despite no agreement being in place with the staff, services would be supplied from 1 July. What was to be supplied? Was it a proper facility for the position of air traffic controller or was it what was supplied on this fateful night, a mere technician and the airport manager? If the decision given to the Department at the time was that it was a full service, why was that full service not in operation on the night in question? That question must be answered this evening.
I answered this question earlier. On 7 January 1999 the airport manager wrote to my Department indicating that all the conditions required in terms of equipment, manpower, services and so on were in place, with the exception of the pay agreement for the call out time. Between that and 1 July negotiations continued and that was finally sanctioned and out of the way by 24 June. The decision to operate from 1 July was taken in the full knowledge of all these relevant factors, including the technical expertise in the Air Corps and the airport, and on that basis the service was provided.
Agreement had been reached on payment for call out by 1 July. Is the Minister saying the airport management did not implement the agreement which had been reached with his Department?
Is the Minister aware that the manager of Waterford Airport stated on "Morning Ireland" that no air traffic control facility was requested by the Department?
I join with the Minister in sympathising with the families affected – I was in school with the father of one of the deceased. Apart from the recommendations the Minister read out, is he satisfied that the necessary steps have been taken to ensure that a tragedy like this will not happen again?
Regarding Deputy Deasy's question, of course I am not saying that. On 24 June 1999—
On 25 June 1999 the Air Corps informed my Department that it was in a position to proceed with the service on 1 July 1999. It had to be satisfied with the provisions the airport manager had indicated as being available. As far as I know, there is no question of a doubt about any of these matters.
I am not aware of what the airport manager might have said, as I did not hear the interview, but the working group was established in December 1997 and its remit included every aspect of a successful launch and operation of a search and rescue. That included all the provisions that would be required to ensure that that operation would be successful and to suggest that air traffic control would be excluded is nonsense.
It was not provided. It should not have been granted.
That concludes Question Time.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
