Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 18 Feb 1999

Vol. 500 No. 6

Written Answers. - Tuskar Rock Air Crash.

Ivan Yates

Ceist:

26 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will outline all aspects of the terms, personnel and work of the review group set up between the Irish and British authorities analysing information relating to the Tuskar Rock Viscount airplane accident of 1968; if the outcome of these deliberations will be published; and if it will hear evidence from witnesses who wish to provide new information or data on the matter. [3922/99]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

Officials of my Department and the UK Minister of Defence and the Environment, Transport and the Regions met in Dublin on 27 January 1999 to begin the process of reviewing all the available files and other material in both administrations relating to the Tuskar Rock Viscount crash on 24 March 1968.

A specific panel of officials has not been established, as both Administrations are prepared to make officials available as required to assist the review. No fixed timeframe has been imposed on the process, nor have decisions been made on how the findings will be reported or published. The review will seek to focus on the questions which the inconclusive nature of the original accident investigation report of 1970 was unable to answer. In that regard, my officials are liaising with a group representing relatives of victims of the accident in order to take on board whatever questions that group may have.

I cannot predict, however, how successful this review will be in shedding new light on these questions. My Department has always maintained that any persons who have new information or data on the cause of this accident should bring such material to the attention of my accident investigation officials and that remains the position during the course of this review.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

27 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the proposals, if any, she has to ask the British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair, to release those who worked at Aberporth, Llanbedr, Manorbier, Ty-Croes and the Thunderbird Royal Artillery Regiment at the time of the Tuskar Rock accident on 24 March 1968 from their obligations under the Official Secrets Act to enable them to make public statements without fear of repercussions in relation to pension or in any other way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3228/99]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

In discussions between officials of my Department and British officials held in Dublin on 27 January 1999 to begin the process of reviewing the files relating to the Tuskar Rock accident, the British officials clarified that no restrictions or inhibitions of the type mentioned by the Deputy have been placed on the UK Ministry of Defence workers or personnel serving in the UK military services at the time of the accident.

I do not, therefore, have any proposals for a formal approach to the British authorities on this matter.