Vol. 538 No. 5
45 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Defence the progress made to date in the implementation of the recommendations of the report of the air accident investigations unit into the crash of an Air Corps helicopter in Tramore in July 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18313/01]
Following the publication of the report of the air accident investigation unit of the Department of Public Enterprise into the accident at Tramore on 2 July 1999, urgent action was taken by my Department in relation to the implementation of the recommendations contained therein. In this regard I put in place arrangements to monitor progress in regard to the implementation of the recommendations. The sixth meeting of a working group charged with overseeing the process took place on 24 May 2001 in the Department of Defence, involving representatives from my Department, including the Defence Forces and the flight safety officer of the Air Corps, as well a representative from the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources. Progress reports from the various bodies involved were presented and reviewed and a composite progress report was prepared in the Department and presented to me. In this regard, I am pleased to announce that considerable progress is being reported by all bodies involved in the implementation of the recommendations. This group are scheduled to meet again on 28 June 2001, and will continue to meet on a regular basis in order to ensure the speedy implementation of all the safety recommendations set out in the report.
One of the key recommendations relates to the commissioning of an independent air operations safety audit of the Air Corps. I am pleased to report that intercontinental aviation safety consultants commenced their work on 21 March 2001 and concluded the audit on 29 March 2001. I expect to receive the report shortly. A further key recommendation contained in the air accident investigation unit report was the establishment of an air safety office in the Air Corps and this was acted on straight away. The air safety office has now been in operation for some months past and will be an intrinsic part of the new Air Corps organisational structure upon its formal implementation. A full-time flight safety officer of lieutenant colonel rank and an officer of captain rank have been appointed by the GOC Air Corps. The flight safety officer reports directly to the GOC Air Corps. A programme of specialist training and courses to equip the flight safety officer for his post has been under way since the end of 2000.
As I have previously stated in the House, I take all safety issues very seriously and the safety of personnel working in the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, at home and overseas, is of paramount importance. I have emphasised to the military authorities that safety standards in equipment, facilities and procedures are of the utmost importance. Funding is not an issue where safety is concerned. Funding is, and will continue to be, available to improve and modernise safety equipment and procedures where necessary.
Question No. 46 answered with Question No. 27.
Question No. 47 answered with Question No. 21.
