Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 48 together.

Following a request from the local authorities early on Sunday, 1 May, the Defence Forces deployed Army and Air Corps assets to assist fire-fighting efforts in counties Donegal and Mayo. This deployment involved the use of troops, aircraft and specialist fire-fighting equipment. From early on Sunday morning, an Air Corps helicopter, with a fire safety qualified Army engineer on board, was in operation over, Donegal and north-west Mayo providing advice and information to the fire-fighting effort on the ground, based on an assessment of the fires from the air. Two further helicopters, both fitted with specialist under-slung bambi buckets, were subsequently deployed to drop water on fires in the Dungloe area of County Donegal. These buckets have a capacity of 1,200 litres each.

On the morning of Sunday, 1 May, 100 troops were recalled to barracks and placed on stand-by at Finner and Galway. Deployment of these troops was at the discretion of the local chief fire officer in each county. As matters transpired, some 25 troops were deployed to fight fires in Mayo and Donegal. These troops remained there for as long as it was safe to do so - until approximately 9 p.m. that night. A decision was taken at that stage by the chief fire officer in Mayo to stand down the troops deployed in that county as the fires came under control. On the next day, Bank Holiday Monday, the three helicopters, two with bambi buckets and one operating in a surveillance role, continued to operate in County Donegal. In total, over 100,000 litres of water were dropped on affected areas that day whilst 85 troops were deployed on the ground - 50 from 5.30 a.m. Troops remained there until approximately 9 p.m. that night.

Defence Forces fire fighting assistance continued in County Donegal the next day where 42 troops were deployed from very early that morning, 3 May. A further 40 troops were on stand-by to replace these troops. The three helicopters were also in operation on that day. All fires were deemed by the local authority to be under control that evening. A number of troops remained on stand-by on 4 May and the Defence Forces involvement was formally wound down that afternoon.

Over the course of the four days, a total of 500,400 litres of water were dropped by Air Corps helicopters. In addition, the Defence Forces committed a total of 264 Army and Air Corps personnel of which 179 personnel were deployed with the remaining 85 being committed in support of the operation.

As the Defence Forces were deployed in an aid-to-the-civil-authority role, following requests from the respective local authority fire officers, the question of whether any individual landowners should be charged is a matter for the local authorities. The direct or additional costs arising from this deployment by the Defence Forces are estimated to be just over €100,000. The largest proportion of this arises from the direct costs associated with some 98 hours of flying time that were accumulated over the four days.

See this speech in context