Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The circumstances in which the Garda helicopter should be deployed to assist gardaí in the myriad duties in which they are engaged is a matter for Garda management. As the Deputy will see from the figures, the flight hours seem to go up and down.

In 2009, there were 2,153.23 hours. In 2010, there were 1,617 hours, so it was substantially reduced in 2010 compared with 2009. It goes up again in 2011 to 2,266 hours and goes down again in 2012 to 1,188 hours. I presume the usage is dependent on the issues that arise, the need to deploy them and the work that needs to be undertaken. It is a matter for Garda management to determine when they should be utilised and when it is appropriate for them to provide assistance in the work that is being undertaken.

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