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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 19 Oct 1999

Vol. 509 No. 4

Written Answers. - Air Corps Accident.

Paul Bradford

Ceist:

51 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on the accident investigation into the fatal Air Corps crash in July 1999; the scope of the inquiry and the progress to date; the individuals involved in the inquiry; the expected date of completion; the plans, if any, he has for investment in aircraft for the Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20513/99]

Michael Finucane

Ceist:

70 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Defence when the report will be available on the fatal accident on 2 July last involving the Air Corps; and if it is intended to publish the findings. [20541/99]

Frances Fitzgerald

Ceist:

130 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on the accident investigation into the fatal Air Corps crash in July 1999; the scope of the inquiry and the progress to date; the individuals involved in the inquiry; the date of completion; the plans, if any, he has for investment in aircraft for the Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20515/99]

Frances Fitzgerald

Ceist:

136 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence when the report on the fatal accident on 2 July last involving the Air Corps will be available; and if it is intended to publish the findings. [20521/99]

Frances Fitzgerald

Ceist:

153 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on the accident investigation into the fatal Air Corps crash earlier this year; the scope of the inquiry and the progress to date; those who are involved in the inquiry; the expected date of completion; the plans, if any, he has for investment in aircraft for the Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20554/99]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 51, 70, 130, 136 and 153 together.

Following the accident at Tramore, County Waterford, on 2 July 1999 in which four members of the Air Corps were tragically killed, my colleague the Minister for Public Enterprise and I jointly directed that the accident be investigated under Statutory Instrument Number 205 of 1997 "Air Navigation (Notification and Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Regulations 1997". Pursuant to this direction the investigation is being conducted by the Air Accident Investigation Unit of the Department of Public Enterprise. A senior Air Corps officer with appropriate training is acting as investigator-in-charge. He is being assisted by inspectors from the AAIU, by Air Corps personnel and two experts from overseas, that is a principal inspector from the UK air accidents investigation branch and the head of military psychology of the Swedish Armed Forces.

The purpose of this investigation, which is wide ranging and complex, is to determine the circumstances and cause or causes of the accident in order to prevent future such accidents. The report of this investigation will be made public. The regulations provide that the report should be published, where possible, within 12 months of the date of the accident. There is no provision for the publication of preliminary findings. Any safety measures proposed by the investigating team will, of course, be implemented as a matter of priority.

In addition to the aforementioned investigation, a military court of inquiry has been convened to inquire into the circumstances of the accident. Its main thrust will be an examination of both the report of the Air Accident Investigation Unit of the Department of Public Enterprise and the coroner's report.

The question of future equipment requirements for the Air Corps will be dealt with in the context of the White Paper on Defence, which I plan to bring forward by the end of the year. I might add that following the review of the Air Corps which was carried out by consultants Pricewaterhouse Coopers I asked the Chief of Staff to prepare, in conjunction with the General Officer Commanding the Air Corps, a draft implementation plan for my consideration, to give effect to the effectiveness and efficiency recommendations made in the consultant's report. The draft plan was submitted in the past few days and is under examination.
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