Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:1271 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence if Irish military helicopters have been offered for UN relief work in the tsunami affected regions. [1640/05]
View answerWednesday, 26 January 2005
Questions (1208, 1209)
Written answers
No request was received by me for helicopter support nor was this ever a matter actively considered by me or the senior management in my Department or in the Defence Forces. It is not within our capacity to deploy and support the current fleet overseas. As Deputies will be aware, I have recently signed contracts for new helicopters for the Air Corps on the basis that the current fleet is coming to the end of its useful life. The helicopters we are procuring are designed solely to meet current requirements here at home. There are no plans, now or for the future, to deploy helicopters, or any other air assets, in support of overseas missions. However, should that become a requirement which needs to be met by the Defence Forces, it will obviously be examined in light of the relevant circumstances at that time.
Question Nos. 1272 and 1273 answered with Question No. 99.
John McGuinness
Question:1274 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide the names and addresses of the families of the 47 soldiers killed in the Lebanon, to the Lebanese Veterans Organisation and the representative of the Lebanese Government due to the fact that it intends to honour the families concerned. [1643/05]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the release of the addresses of the next-of-kin would represent personal information and, as such, it would not be appropriate for the Department to release it to the organisation. In the absence of a written submission from the organisation setting out what is proposed it is not possible for my Department to consider this matter further. However, the Department would be willing, on receipt of further information, to explore what exactly the organisation is proposing and examine the possibility of forwarding the necessary details to the next-of-kin of deceased personnel in due course.
Question No. 1275 answered with QuestionNo. 99.
Question No. 1276 answered with QuestionNo. 90.