Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 14 Feb 2001

Vol. 530 No. 4

Written Answers. - Air Corps Equipment.

Paul Bradford

Question:

47 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Defence when the working group established in November 2000 to evaluate the future resources of the Air Corps for search and rescue service and an evaluation of current helicopters, will be in a position to present their report. [3911/01]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

In November 2000, a working group was established consisting of representatives from the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources – Irish Coast Guard – and the Department of Defence, including representatives from the military authorities and the Air Corps, to deal with the subject of dedicated helicopter search and rescue assets.

In tandem with the current tender competition for the supply of medium lift helicopters to the Air Corps, the group is to determine the overall resources required, both civil and military, and the optimum deployment of same to cover marine emergency management.

The Group will identify and make recommendations on the specific Air Corps resources which will have to be committed and deployed to meet those requirements. This work will include making recommendations on the Dauphin helicopters. The group will also consider all the options for the provision of interim solutions for the overall requirements taking into account the lead time for the delivery of the medium lift helicopters to the Air Corps. I expect that the report of the working group will be available shortly.