asked the Minister for Defence whether a new type of helicopter is being purchased; and, if so, whether he will consider having this helicopter based at Shannon Airport for air sea rescue work.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Helicopter Service.
53.
Mr. O'Donnell
The purchase of a new helicopter in the current financial year is under consideration in my Department. The specification of this aircraft has not yet been decided. It would not be feasible to have it based at Shannon Airport.
Mr. O'Donnell
Could the Minister say why not?
In the first place the extra helicopter is required to bring the present number of machines up to strength. We have only three, as the Deputy knows, at Casement Aerodrome, and the fourth one is needed to ensure that the service there will be maintained in full. There would not be justification for the setting-up of a helicopter station at a second location.
Mr. O'Donnell
Would the Minister not agree that the shipping disasters which have occurred along the south-west and west coast during the last few years indicate a need for a more efficient on the spot air sea rescue service? Would he not agree that the basing of a helicopter for this purpose at Shannon would appear to be a logical development?
I appreciate the Deputy's point of view. We would certainly like to have more helicopter bases but the fact is we must have regard to our resources and for this reason we cannot increase on the number of bases we already have. I would not agree there is any inefficiency in the existing rescue service.
The Minister is aware that a helicopter making a trip to the west has to stop and refuel on the way. As the helicopter service is used most often to take patients involved in road traffic accidents in the south-west and west to hospital it would be desirable to have a helicopter based in the area.
The helicopter service is a very efficient one and deserves the highest praise. While we should like to have more bases we think we are providing a very good service at the moment having regard to our resources.
Would the Minister not agree that, when flying conditions might be unfavourable at Baldonnel, if a helicopter were stationed in the Shannon area conditions might be favourable there? This would ensure that the helicopter service would not be grounded because of unfavourable weather conditions in one part of the country.
This is always a risk associated with flying operations.
Is the Minister aware that in the Ballina/Crossmolina region there are a couple of privately owned helicopters? Would it be possible for the Minister to make some arrangements with the owners to hire these helicopters?
It would cost £60 an hour.