Michael D. Higgins
Question:59 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the Garda helicopter will again be available for night flights in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3175/01]
Written Answers. - Garda Air Support Unit.
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue): On 11 May 1999 during an operation at night in the Clare/Galway region, the Garda Air Support Unit (GASU) helicopter inadvertently entered cloud. Contact was lost with the ground target, the mission was aborted and the helicopter proceeded to Shannon Airport. The incident was the subject of an investigation carried out by the Air Accident Investigation Unit of the Department of Public Enterprise. A report was subsequently published and this included a number of recommendations – including that "the Air Corps should suspend GASU night operations in rural areas with immediate effect until an effective programme of extra night flying is completed by GASU pilots." This recommendation was accepted and acted upon.
The training and allocation of pilots is, in the first instance, a matter for the Minister for Defence and the Air Corps. Nevertheless, I obviously have a keen interest in this matter in the context of GASU operations. In this regard, officials from my Department and the Garda authorities – in conjunction with officials from the Department of Defence and the Air Corps – have been actively pursuing the issues raised in the report.
Question No. 60 answered with Question No. 37.