Vol. 533 No. 4
40 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence when the required fire safety equipment and facilities will be available at Finner Camp, County Donegal, to allow it to be used for helicopter cover on a 24 hour basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9011/01]
I have been advised by the military authorities that the necessary equipment and crash rescue vehicle will be available next month.
The Air Corps has been given the task of establishing a crash rescue service in Finner Camp and the interviews for fire crew have been conducted in the past week. Upon finalisation of the interview results, training will commence as soon as possible for the successful applicants. They will thereafter be permanently located at Finner Camp with the new equipment and the new fire tender.
Pending the establishment of these facilities at Finner Camp, the Air Corps is currently providing a 24 hour search and rescue service using a Dauphin helicopter from Sligo Airport. It is planned that when the fire and crash rescue service is in place on a 24 hour basis the Dauphin will return to Finner Camp.
