Billy Timmins
Ceist:142 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Defence the year the Crean report was published; and its recommendations. [22909/98]
Written Answers. - Glen of Imaal Training Area.
Billy Timmins
Ceist:143 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Defence the military board, if any, set up to examine the recommendations of the Crean report; the recommendations the board made; and the recommendations, if any, implemented. [22910/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 143 together.
Arising out of a tragic accident at the Glen of Imaal on 14 April 1979 in which three children were killed and others injured, the Minister for Defence established a committee to examine safety measures at the glen and to make recommendations as to any further safety precautions which might be deemed necessary to minimise danger to the public arising out of the use of the lands of the Department at the glen as a training ground for the firing of weapons. The committee completed its deliberations in mid-1979.
The main recommendations which included the erection of more appropriate warning signs, fencing off of dangerous locations, the establishment of a safety unit and the ongoing monitoring of safety procedures in the Glen of Imaal have been implemented. The procedures were introduced to alert the general public to the inherent dangers in the firing range and to allow, within certain limits, the continued use of the Glen by the public for recreational purposes.
Billy Timmins
Ceist:144 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Defence when the range warden service was set up in the Glen of Imaal, County Wicklow; the strength of the group on its initiation; its strength on 1 June 1997; and its strength on 1 November 1998. [22911/98]
Billy Timmins
Ceist:145 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Defence the qualifications required for service with the range warden service, Glen of Imaal, County Wicklow. [22912/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 145 together.
In 1982 a special staff of Military Police personnel was established for the purpose of providing a warden service for the training area in the Glen of Imaal. The numerical establishment approved for the warden service at that time was 17 non-commissioned personnel. However, the overall administration of effective safety mesures in the area was, and continues to be, the responsibility of the Camp Commandant, Coolmoney Camp.
The strength of the warden service on 1 June 1997 was ten non-commissioned personnel and on 1 November 1998 was six non-commissioned personnel.
Billy Timmins
Ceist:146 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Defence the accidents, if any, involving civilian personnel at the Glen of Imaal, County Wicklow, involving Army ordnance between 1975 and 1980; and, if so, the details in this regard. [22913/98]
There were two accidents involving civilians at the Glen of Imaal involving Army ordnance between 1975 and 1980. On 1 September 1978 an accident occurred when four children were injured in an explosion. A second incident occurred on 14 April 1979 in which three children were killed and ten injured and a further incident happened on 26 April 1978 when a youth received superficial injuries when he apparently set fire to a furze bush on land adjacent to Department of Defence property and a rifle bullet exploded.
Billy Timmins
Ceist:147 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Defence the accidents, if any, involving civilian personnel at the Glen of Imaal, County Wicklow, involving Army ordnance between 1980 and 1988. [22914/98]
There is no record of any accidents involving civilians at the Glen of Imaal involving Army ordnance between 1980 and 1988.