Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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Question 47: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will report on the deployment of members of the Defence Forces to assist fire crews dealing with gorse fires in parts of counties Donegal, Galway and Mayo at the start of May; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12051/11]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 48: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces personnel involved in fighting the bush fires across the country; the cost to the Exchequer of same; and his plans to recoup the costs from Coillte. [12070/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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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.

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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When local authorities implement emergency plans, they normally carry out a review afterwards to examine how well they worked. The Defence Forces will feed into such a review in this case. Will the Defence Forces carry out an internal review on its response in this instance? Will it ascertain whether suitable resources were available or identify improvements that could be made? Were any Defence Forces personnel injured in these incidents?

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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To the best of my knowledge, no member of the Defence Forces was injured in the incidents in question. After every operation of every description, the Defence Forces assesses how it went. I was in immediate contact with the Department to ensure that as soon as a local authority sought help in fighting gorse fires that it would be available. The Defence Forces had personnel on stand-by and within ten minutes of a request being formally made by a local authority, the Defence Forces were in a position to commence providing assistance.

Like the work done for last week's State visit, the Defence Forces deserve our congratulations for the work they did in aid of the local authorities. The gorse fires were a difficult few days for the local authorities and the civil fire-fighters on the ground. There was a great deal of concern about surrounding these fires and the possible dangers they posed. The Defence Forces, again, conducted themselves very well. I have heard no valid criticism of any nature of the action they took. The Chief of Staff and other members of the Defence Forces who organised the response to assist local authorities deserve the congratulations of the House.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I too acknowledge the role played by the Defence Forces, particularly in my county, in dealing with the serious problem of gorse fires. However, the costs of the operations to the Defence Forces came to €100,000. It will be a far greater cost to local authorities. I pay tribute to the fire services in the counties affected who gave up weeks to fight the fires.

Our timber industry is lucrative. Given that there is a suspicion that some of these fires were started deliberately, has the Minister had any discussions with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, on recouping some of these costs and to send out the signal that we will not stand for such actions?

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Defence Forces came in aid of the local authorities. It is a matter for them if they decide to charge the local authorities for the services provided. Much of the costings I gave earlier would derive from use of the helicopters. It is estimated by Coillte, that of the 9,000 properties owned by it in the State which range in size from one hectare to 200,000 hectares, an average of 200,000 hectares are lost to fire each year. In the context of climatic conditions and that these fires occurred during what had been an unusually dry season, I am not sure what steps, if any, can be taken to prevent outbreaks of fires. In so far as there is a possibility that anyone can be identified as having started these fires, that is a matter for An Garda Síochána. It is hoped such events will not be repeated. I am sure the Army and the Air Corps will learn lessons, if there are any, from these events. It is a matter for Coillte, which does not fall within my Departments' responsibility, to take what fire preventive steps it deems appropriate. It has, however, been discovered internationally that in certain climatic conditions, such fires occur.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Is it correct that 200,000 hectares of Coillte properties are affected by fires every year?

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am told, on average, 200,000 hectares are lost to fire each year. It seems a large amount but that is the information with which I have been supplied. If that information is incorrect, I will communicate with the Deputy.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister should bring that information to the attention of the relevant Minister.