Vol. 516 No. 6
119 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Defence the progress, if any, made in the investigation into the cause of the crash of an Air Corps helicopter near Tramore in July 1999 in which four personnel died; when he expects to receive the final report of the board of inquiry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8792/00]
As I indicated to the House in response to a similar question on 17 February, 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 No. 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, AAIU, 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, viz, 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. All issues, including those raised by relatives concerning safety, are being encompassed by the investigation. The final report of this investigation will be made public. The regulations provide that the final report should be published, where possible, within 12 months of the date of the accident. In this connection it is estimated that a draft final report will be ready for circulation to interested parties by 14 April. 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 final report of the air accident investigation unit of the Department of Public Enterprise and the coroner's report. Therefore, the work of the military court of inquiry will proceed following publication of the final report of the air accident investigation unit. The court of inquiry must also await the Coroner's Court findings. I am informed that the Coroner's Court is adjourned until mid July next.
