Vol. 524 No. 4
42 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will make a statement on the implications for air safety procedures of the findings of the report of the air accident investigation unit into the crash of an Air Corps helicopter in Tramore, County Waterford, in July 1999 with the loss of four lives. [22566/00]
I wish to advise the Deputy that it was agreed jointly by the Minister for Defence and myself that this fatal accident would be investigated under SI No 205 of 1997 Air Navigation (Notification and Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Regulation, 1997.
On 28 September 2000, the air accident investigation unit of my Department published a very comprehensive and detailed report. This report contains an extensive list of findings and causes and in particular a total of 25 safety recommendations.
The safety recommendations set out in the report call for action from the Department of Defence, the Defence Forces and the Department of Marine and Natural Resources. It is my understanding that these bodies are examining these safety recommendations at present with a view to their rapid implementation.
The air accident investigation unit as a matter of course monitors the implementation of safety recommendations arising from their reports.
