Written Answers. - Air Accident Investigations.
Brian O'Shea
Question:
26
Mr. O'Shea
asked the
Minister for Defence
the progress made to date in the implementation of the recommendations of the report of the air accident investigations unit into the crash of an Air Corps helicopter in Tramore in July 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[24453/01]
Brian O'Shea
Question:
54
Mr. O'Shea
asked the
Minister for Defence
the findings of the safety audit of the Air Corps undertaken by a company (details supplied); the steps which are being taken to address the shortcomings identified in the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[24454/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 54 together.
Following the publication of the report of the Air Accident Investigation Unit of the Department of Public Enterprise into the accident at Tramore on 2 July 1999, urgent action was taken by my Department in relation to the implemen tation of the recommendations contained in the report. In this regard I put in place arrangements to monitor progress in regard to the implementation of the recommendations.
The eighth meeting of a working group charged with overseeing the process took place on Thursday, 13 September 2001 in the Department of Defence, involving representatives from my Department, including the Defence Forces and the flight safety officer of the Air Corps, as well a representative from the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources. Progress reports from the various bodies involved were presented and reviewed. In this regard, I am pleased to say very substantial progress is being made in regard to the implementation of the recommendations. This group is scheduled to meet again on Thursday, 1 November 2001 and will continue to meet as necessary until all the safety recommendations set out in the report are implemented. It will be appreciated that safety of flying operations is an ongoing organic process requiring continuing attention.
One of the key recommendations was that an independent air operations safety audit of the Air Corps should be commissioned. This was done and I received the final report of the consultants involved in July 2001. This report was examined by both my Department and the military authorities, following which the Air Corps was tasked to take immediate steps towards implementing the recommendations. In a report, submitted by the Air Corps flight safety officer last month, the Air Corps has outlined progress to date on implementing certain of the recommendations contained in the safety audit and the further action required. To further advance the implementation of the recommendations of the safety audit, a working group comprising members of the Defence Forces and an official of my Department will oversee the consideration and implementation of the safety issues addressed in the safety audit.
A further key recommendation contained in the Air Accident Investigation Unit report was the establishment of an Air Safety Office in the Air Corps and this was acted on straight away. The Air Safety Office is an intrinsic part of the new Air Corps organisational structure. A full-time flight safety officer of lieutenant colonel rank and an officer of captain rank have been appointed by the GOC Air Corps to the office. The flight safety officer reports directly to the GOC Air Corps. A programme of specialist training and courses to equip the flight safety officer for his post has been under way since the end of 2000. The findings of the independent air operations safety audit will be a primary focus of the Flight Safety Office.
As I have previously stated in the House, I take all safety issues very seriously and the safety of personnel working in the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, at home and overseas, is of paramount importance. I have emphasised to the military authorities that safety standards in equip ment, facilities and procedures are of the utmost importance. Funding is not an issue where safety is concerned. Funding is, and will continue to be, available to improve and modernise safety equipment and procedures where necessary.
Question No. 27 answered with Question No. 16.
