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Overseas Missions.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 December 2009

Tuesday, 15 December 2009

Questions (284, 285)

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

304 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Defence the distance from the Irish base in Goz Beida in Chad to the location of the nearest dedicated casualty evacuation helicopter; the flight time for that journey; the helicopter casualty evacuation procedures in place for troops on long range patrols; if he can provide an assurance that troops injured or wounded on long range patrols can be airlifted by helicopter within the crucial first hour following injury; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46805/09]

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Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

305 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Defence the circumstances surrounding the delay in providing casualty evacuation for an injured soldier on duty in Chad; the distance the soldier was from the Irish base at the time of the injury; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46806/09]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 304 and 305 together.

There is currently a contingent of some 420 Defence Forces personnel deployed as part of the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT). There are two United Nations helicopters based in Goz Beida alongside the Irish Camp, which are available to be used for casevac purposes. In addition, a dedicated Casualty Evacuation (casevac) helicopter is located on a 24/7 basis in the MINURCAT Force Headquarters (FHQ) Camp in Abéché, which is approx 200km (70 mins flying time) from the Irish Camp in Goz Beida.

UN medical guidelines indicate that a casualty should be seen by a doctor within one hour of sustaining an injury/illness and transferred to a Level 2 Medical facility, similar to that located in Abéché, within four hours of sustaining the injury/illness. The arrangements in place by the Irish contingent meet these requirements in that, a doctor and medical orderly accompanies all long range patrols conducted by Defence Forces personnel. This ensures that a soldier injured or wounded on a long range patrol would receive immediate medical attention. Where necessary, the injured soldier can then be airlifted to Abeche, either using the helicopters at Goz Beida or the dedicated casevac helicopter from Abeche.

Following the transfer of authority from the EUFOR TCHAD RCA to the UN–led MINURCAT mission on 15 March 2009, the provision of air casevac/medevac to Sector South (Irish unit) caused some concern, namely the lack of clarity regarding the provision of a casevac/medevac facility by MINURCAT and the arrangements for calling in helicopter support. On 24 March 2009 a non-commissioned officer was injured 20km from Camp Ciara while on patrol to Koukou Angarana. The injured party received immediate medical attention on the ground. However, the UN was unable or did not respond to a request for an airlift of the patient for some time and outside of the agreed standard response times. While the injury in this particular case was not serious, the response of the UN raised concerns in relation to the response capacity of the UN in cases where a significantly more serious injury might be involved. As a result, it was decided to retain the Irish Helicopters in Goz Beida until such time as the UN reached full operational capability, such that the military authorities were satisfied with response levels.

The onset of the rainy season and the importance of support for logistics and resupply of the Irish contingent through the rainy season was also a matter of concern. In September, 2009, the military authorities indicated that they were satisfied with the service being provided by the UN and, as such, the contract for the Irish contingent helicopters was terminated in accordance with the terms of the contract.

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