asked the Minister for Defence if he sent a message of thanks and appreciation to the British naval commander of the aircraft carrier who launched a helicopter recently to save three Irishmen from a ship wrecked on the Black Rock off the Wexford coast.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Helicopter Rescue: Message of Thanks.
62.
A message of the kind indicated in the Deputy's Question was sent by the Minister for Transport and Power to the appropriate British Authority.
Would the Minister kindly tell me when was that sent?
I cannot give the Deputy the date but I do know that it was sent.
I asked the Minister did he send a message as Minister for Defence?
No. The Minister for Transport and Power sent a message as he was the appropriate Minister in the matter. I might inform the Deputy, however, that the head of the Naval Service sent a message to his opposite number on the other side.
The head of the Naval Service did the gentlemanly thing which the Minister did not do and the Minister should have done.
I protest against that.
The Minister did not do it.
I had no duty in the matter. It was performed by the Minister for Transport and Power on his own behalf as the appropriate Minister and on behalf of the Government.
I submit that the Minister for Transport and Power was not the appropriate Minister.
Will the Deputy resume his seat?
He was the appropriate Minister in this respect that our country is a participant in an international organisation for sea and air rescue. We participate in that work to our fullest capacity and we send out the corvettes occasionally. The Minister for Transport and Power is the appropriate Minister in that respect and it was he who sent the message.
Would the Minister tell us who is the appropriate British authority?
I do not think that arises out of the question.
The Minister said the Minister for Transport and Power sent a message to the appropriate British authority. Who is the appropriate British authority?
I am quite satisfied that the Minister for Transport and Power sent the message to the appropriate British authority.
Who was it?
If the Deputy wants me to answer that question he will have to give me notice of it. I do not know who it was.
Did the Minister for Transport and Power advise the Government Information Bureau that he was doing that?
The Deputy will resume his seat.
He kept it a secret.
I want to tell Deputy Lynch that a very gracious letter was sent by the head of the Naval Service to his opposite number and I think a very gracious reply was received from him. I have both of them here.
But it was up to the Minister for Defence——
Will the Deputy please allow the business of the House to continue?