Vol. 544 No. 4
94 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the progress made to date on implementing recommendations, for which his Department has responsibility, of the Final Report of the Air Accident Investigation Unit into the crash of the Dauphin helicopter at Tramore, County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28941/01]
As the Deputy is aware, a thorough examination of the Final Report of the Air Accident Investigation Unit of the Department of Public Enterprise into Accident DH 248/Rescue 111 Tramore, 2 July 1999, took place in my Department. All safety recommendations have been implemented by my Department with the exception of a service level agreement between my Department and the Air Corps of the Department of Defence. The report recommended that a formal service level agreement be put in place between the Air Corps and the Irish Coast Guard defining the precise responsibilities and deliverables of both parties.
My Department fully recognises the need for formalising current operational relationships and work is ongoing on the development of a draft agreement. Finalisation of the formal service level agreement awaits the outcome of the Department of Defence contract for helicopter procurement and the finalisation of the report of the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources-Department of Defence working group on dedicated marine emergency response helicopters. In the meantime, an informal operational understanding is in place between the Coast Guard and the Air Corps.
Question No. 95 answered with Question No. 73.
