Byrne denies Air Corps rescue role is being downgraded

The Minister of State for the Marine, Mr Hugh Byrne, has denied that the Air Corps role in search-and-rescue is being downgraded, following the Government's decision to privatise the south-east rescue base.

He has also indicated that alternatives to Waterford airport may be considered for 24-hour air-sea rescue in the region, if the airport does not resolve its infrastructural and financial difficulties.

Last week in the Dail, Mr Byrne announced that the full, night-time all-weather service was to resume under private contract, initially on an interim basis and then permanently.

However, Mr Vincent Byrne, father of Cpl Niall Byrne, one of the four airmen killed in a helicopter crash at Tramore, Co Waterford, has said the decision to civilianise search-and-rescue in the south-east is proof of a lack of faith in and commitment to the Air Corps.

Bond (now CHC) Helicopters, which runs the two existing medium-range air-sea rescue bases for the Government at Shannon and Dublin, is expected to tender with a Sikorsky S-61 medium-lift craft and crew which may be in place by September.

This will leave the Air Corps responsible for only one search-and-rescue area, the north-west.

The decision comes almost 20 months after the fatal Tramore crash, in which four Air Corps pilots and crew died. The crew were returning from the first rescue mission at night after the base had been upgraded to 24-hour cover on July 1st, 1999. Since then, the southeast has been restricted to daytime cover only, with an Air Corps Alouette helicopter.

Mr Byrne told The Irish Times little had been learned "by those in charge" since the crash of Rescue 111 on July 2nd, 1999.

"Air Corps crews still fly rescue missions in Dauphin and Alouette helicopters, even though their unsuitability has been agreed," he said.

"There have been a number of incidents in these helicopters since the Tramore tragedy. Suitable helicopters should have been hired until the existing fleet is replaced."

The official investigation into the crash, which occurred in thick fog, highlighted the lack of ground support for the crew from the relevant authorities.

It also emphasised the unsuitability of the Dauphin helicopter for the Atlantic seaboard.

Mr Byrne, who is a sales manager with a food company, believes the use of private airports for search-and-rescue cover is questionable, as they are "profit-driven".

He believes that the Air Corps is suffering from low morale, exacerbated by an ageing fleet, and that the stipulation that crews must now perform low-level barrack duties is contributing to "an exodus" from the defence wing.

"Those who have contributed to its demise, whether orchestrated or through neglect, should be made accountable," he said.

Last year Mrs Maria O'Flaherty, wife of Capt Dave O'Flaherty who also died in the crash, said the four crew had been "badly let down by their employers".

She was also very critical of the response from the relevant authorities, particularly in relation to safety, and said suitable aircraft should be leased as an interim measure, pending purchase of new equipment for the Defence wing.

The Minister of State, who has led calls for a return to full cover in the south-east, told The Irish Times that in his view the Air Corps was best suited for the job.

New equipment, including at least two medium-lift search-and-rescue helicopters, had been ordered for the Air Corps by the Minister for Defence, but this would take two to three years to deliver.

"I expect that as soon as new helicopters are purchased and in place, the Air Corps will return," he said.

"It has a good record, and the official report on the Tramore tragedy shows that it had little to do with it in terms of causes."

He would be insisting that proper infrastructure, including adequate lighting and air traffic control, was in place at Waterford airport, but other locations like Rosslare, Kilmore Quay and Hook Head might be suitable if the airport had difficulties.