Vol. 573 No. 3
156 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the call made by a number of relatives of those who died in the 1999 Dauphin crash at Tramore for his Department to admit liability for the deaths of all the men, following the settlement of a case in regard to one of the men (details supplied) in which his Department accepted liability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25244/03]
I offer my deepest sympathy to all who were bereaved as a result of this tragic accident on 2 July 1999 and acknowledge the courage and generosity of those who gave their lives in the service of others.
There are four personal injury claims from relatives of the deceased arising out of this accident. In disposing of these claims I have always been mindful of the pain and suffering already endured by those involved. Three cases have been settled with the payment of damages, two of which were the subject of High Court orders. In view of the findings of a court of inquiry that no single factor in itself caused the crash of the Dauphin helicopter and that a chain of events resulted in the crash and unfortunate deaths of the crew, the State negotiated a settlement in each case. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on the outstanding case which remains sub judice.
