Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Air and Sea Rescues. – Dáil Éireann (26th Dáil) – Thursday, 15 Mar 1990

Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Air and Sea Rescues.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

12 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for the Marine of occasions in the past five years where RAF aircraft have been involved in air-sea rescues off the Irish coast; the date and location of each such rescue; the estimated overall cost to the British Government; and whether any financial contribution was made towards same by the Irish Government.

Mr. Noonan

(Limerick West): The RAF search and rescue resources consist mainly of helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft. These resources are established for rescuing military personnel, aircraft and vessels. However, the RAF render assistance whenever possible to other persons, aircraft and vessels in distress, including those in distress in the Irish search and rescue region. This assistance is provided free of charge. I have no information on the overall cost to the British Government of the RAF search and rescue operations.

The statistical information required by the Deputy is in the form of a tabular statement which I propose to circulate in the Official Report.

Following is the statement:

RAF Aircraft involvement in Air-Sea Rescues off the Irish Coast.

Date	Location
19/3/85	90 NM off Galway
26/4/85	60 NM off Kerry
18/6/85	Ballycotton
24/6/85	50 NM off Cork (Air India)
19/8/85	120 NM off Clare
24/10/85	110 NM off Clare
21/12/85	30 NM off Cork
22/12/85	120 NM off Clare
6/3/86	30 NM off Cork
9/4/86	160 NM off Mayo
	140 NM off Mayo
27/4/86	30 NM off Cork
1/8/86	Castletownbere
3/8/86	40 NM off Mayo
12/10/86	60 NM off Clare
2/11/86	Lough Foyle
22/11/86	Bantry Bay
12/12/86	Drogheda
2/1/87	26 NM off Wexford
19/1/87	Rathmelton, County Donegal
4/2/87	50 NM off Mayo
23/2/87	Donegal Coast
10/3/87	130 NM off Kerry
14/3/87	160 NM off Kerry
27/3/87	130 NM off Mayo
31/3/87	160 NM off Mayo
3/4/87	200 NM off Mayo
18/4/87	Falcarragh, County Donegal
30/6/87	300 NM off Cork
21/7/87	120 NM off Clare
22/7/87	120 NM off Clare
8/8/87	Search off Rosslare
18/8/87	Search off Rosslare
8/9/87	30 NM off Mayo
20/9/87	Malin Head
21/10/87	130 NM off Clare
5/11/87	Search off Cork Harbour
13/11/87	150 NM off Mayo
12/12/87	Off Wexford
25/1/88	120 NM off Clare
23/2/88	150 NM off Clare
13/3/88	120 NM off Clare
23/3/88	100 NM off Clare
9/5/88	Donegal Bay
19/5/88	150 NM off Clare
22/6/88	Malin Head
25/6/88	Search off Donegal
6/7/88	160 NM off Cork
10/7/88	150 NM off Kerry
28/7/88	Broadhaven Bay Rossport, County Mayo
17/8/88	Off Rosslare
15/10/88	Aran Islands
11/1/89	Off Aran Islands
13/1/89	Valentia Islands
14/1/89	250 NM off Galway
22/2/89	220 NM NW off Achill Island (Secil Angola incident)
7/3/89	20 NM off Dunmore East
8/3/89	220 NM off Clare
12/3/89	80 NM off Clare
16/3/89	35 NM off Cork
22/3/89	190 NM off Mayo
25/4/89	160 NM off Cork
24/6/89	30 NM off Cork
30/8/89	100 NM off Clare
5/12/89	100 NM off Cork
6/12/89	120 NM off Galway

Mrs. Taylor-Quinn

It is always good to have a nice neighbour. As long as the British Government provide services of this nature free of charge is there not a danger that the Government may put the report on the air-sea rescue services on the long finger? In view of the fact that the Minister has had this report for over six weeks he should now be in a position to present it to the Government and publish it so that the people who have an interest in it will know what is contained in it.

Mr. Noonan

(Limerick West): As I said, the intention is to present this report to the Government very shortly once it has been exmained by my Department. With regard to the first part of the Deputy's question, as she well knows, search and rescue operations know no boundaries.

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 15 Mar 1990