asked the Minister for Defence if it is the intention of his Department to purchase helicopters for the purposes of troop transportation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Helicopter Purchases.
34.
The question of purchasing large capacity helicopters is being studied by my Department.
Does the Minister hope that these troop-carrying helicopters will be purchased in view of the security situation and in order to up-date the Army with the type of mechanical equipment necessary and desirable for fast troop movement from one sector to another?
I am not terribly interested in fast troop movement but I am very interested in the helicopter service. The position is that it takes three years to train maintenance staff for new helicopters. Therefore, next week I will be in Paris to look at possible replacements for the French Alouette, which is an excellent helicopter. That will not be a fast decision as it is tied up with fishery protection and many other things. I will be in Paris to look at those helicopters next week with the head of the Air Corps and Colonel O'Connor.
Will the Minister be giving any consideration to troop transportation?
I will be taking everything into consideration but I do not think that troop transportation is a big thing. I think that saving people's lives and delivering people to hospital and all that sort of thing is highly important and that responsibility I accept.
Nobody argues that life saving or the rescue service are not desirable but there are other desirable features in relation to a defence force. Is the Minister indicating that he will be examining the question of troop carrying when he goes to Paris?
The Minister will be examining everything when he goes to Paris, even the Champs-Elysees.
I can understand that.
And there will be no transportation of guns.
That is an absolute certainty unless by misdemeanour which, I am sure, will not come from this side of the House.