Vol. 413 No. 5
212 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if he has completed his promised investigations into the difficulties which arose on a stud farm (details supplied) in County Clare because of low-flying helicopters especially in early July; and if he will outline the regulations which his Department impose on helicopter pilots in relation to flight-paths and low-flying.
The Air Navigation (Rules of the Air) Order, 1973 (S.I. No. 22 of 1973) requires that all helicopter flights are conducted without hazard to persons or property and at a height which would permit a helicopter, in the event of an emergency occurring, to alight without hazard to persons or property.
The aeronautical operations service of my Department are responsible for investigating violations of this order, and have been carrying out an investigation into the incidents referred to in the Deputy's question. Investigations to date have failed to uncover any evidence which would show that the operators of the helicopters were in breach of the order.
