Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me the opportunity to raise this important issue on the floor of the House today. The air accident investigation unit is investigating what the Defence Forces called a heavy landing but was in fact a crash by the Air Corps of a Eurocopter helicopter operating the emergency aeromedical service, EAS, in County Tipperary yesterday. Significant damage was done to the helicopter but, thankfully, the Air Corps crew and Health Service Executive, HSE, paramedic staff escaped without injury. I hope the patient they were hoping to transfer is making a full recovery in hospital now. I understand the patient ended up being transferred by road to hospital.

The accident happened as a result of the helicopter becoming entangled in overhead electricity cables. The ambulance service feeds instructions to the Air Corps about potential landing sites for the airlifting of patients. What role did ground crew play in this? Significant damage has been done to the tail section of the helicopter. What is the extent of this damage? How long will it be before it is put back into service? What are the contingency plans for this service? There is one other Eurocopter helicopter available. Will it be made operational to get the EAS back in place? If so, when will it be made operational?

Why was the choice made for the Eurocopter rather than the Augusta Westland helicopter? The latter is fully equipped to provide 24-hour air ambulance missions while the Eurocopter can only operate in daylight. Across the world there have been accidents involving emergency aeromedical services because it is a risky business and requires skilled staff. Why were designated landing sites not used in this process before the service was put up and running? A list was compiled in some local authority areas of specific designated sites where an ambulance could actually meet the helicopter and have no issues with overhead lines. For some reason, this was not put into the final protocols for this service. Why was this the case?

Is the EAS regulated by the Irish Aviation Authority? If not, why not? Who is responsible for regulating the medical aspect of the service? Yesterday's accident was extremely unfortunate and gives rise to several questions that need to be answered. We want to see a fully fledged EAS operational across the island. We want to ensure those involved not just in traumas but who have had a stroke or heart attack can be airlifted in the minimum time to the nearest centre of excellence. The reason for the establishment of this service was the closure of the accident and emergency department in Roscommon County Hospital. People who suffer a heart attack, strike or a trauma in the hospital's catchment area cannot be brought to Galway University Hospital within the golden 90 minutes required. I look forward to the Minister's response.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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A 12 month pilot EAS in support of the HSE national ambulance service commenced operations on 4 June 2012. The service is operated by the Air Corps out of Custume Barracks, Athlone. The purpose of the pilot is to determine the extent, if any, of the need for dedicated aeromedical support to emergency ambulances in the region in light of existing road networks and transit times. The service is intended to support the requirements of HSE clinical care programmes such as acute coronary syndrome and stroke. In geographical terms, the primary focus of the service is on the west and north west. However, the service can on occasion respond to incidents elsewhere where aeromedical assistance is an appropriate response given the circumstances of the incident.

From 4 June to date, 11 aeromedical missions have been undertaken. An incident involving the EAS helicopter occurred yesterday afternoon, 19 June. The helicopter, an EC 135, departed Custume Barracks, Athlone, at 1.50 p.m. en route to an emergency call out in County Tipperary. At approximately 2.10 p.m. the helicopter was forced to perform a heavy landing near Borrisoleigh, County Tipperary. Thankfully, the two Air Corps crew and one HSE paramedic on board were uninjured. The patient who was subject to the call-out was transferred to hospital by road. The helicopter has been removed from the site of the incident and is now back in Baldonnel, but the extent of damage to it has yet to be determined.

The air accident investigation unit in the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport was informed of the incident immediately and was in attendance at the site last evening. The unit will carry out an investigation into the incident. The Air Corps is examining the likelihood of resuming the EAS as soon as possible using an AW 139 aircraft out of Baldonnel. At this stage, it is not possible to say when the service will resume from Custume Barracks, Athlone. Following a preliminary investigation by the air accident investigation unit, this matter will receive further consideration.

It should be emphasised the EAS is a separate service from the air ambulance service provided by the Air Corps to the HSE for inter-hospital transfer of patients with serious injuries and for organ retrieval missions. This service is unaffected by this incident. The aircraft is crewed by an Air Corps pilot and crewman, supported by an Air Corps ground technician. The EC 135 helicopter is a light utility aircraft that is the appropriate platform for an air ambulance given its size and weight. It is used in other EU countries such as the United Kingdom and Germany for air ambulance services.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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I thank the Minister for his response.

The AgustaWestland AW139 helicopter is being considered for use in this service currently based in Baldonnel. Will the Minister give an indication of the likely timeline for it to be based in Custume Barracks to provide an emergency aeromedical service? Why was the helicopter not used in the first instance to provide the service, as it has 24 hour capability?

What was the role of the ground crew in this incident? Was the forced landing site close to where the helicopter was travelling to meet the patient and what liaison took place with the ground crew? The original protocol involved the use of designated landing sites throughout the midlands and west, at which the helicopter would land and meet the local ambulance called to the scene. Why was that protocol not implemented when the air ambulance service was launched earlier this month? That would have prevented yesterday's incident from occurring. Who is involved in the regulation of the aeromedical service? Is the Irish Air Authority involved? Who is responsible for the medical aspects?

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I will deal with some of the issues raised by the Deputy, although I cannot respond to certain questions because I will not prejudge the outcome of the investigation being conducted. Issues raised by the Deputy are directly relevant to that investigation and it is appropriate that we learn the answers from the investigation.

The helicopter involved in the unfortunate accident yesterday was deemed to be the appropriate aircraft as it was based in Custume Barracks and in the context of providing the service as I described it. It is of a type that is used appropriately for this service elsewhere. There is an issue with the size of helicopter used with reference to the aircraft that can be appropriately accommodated in Custume Barracks because of its proximity to what is generally an open urban area.

One of the issues with regard to the resumption of the service from Custume Barracks concerns the damage, if any, done to the medical equipment for this helicopter in order to provide the service deemed to be important to benefit the area. The preliminary investigation by the air accident investigation unit must take place first, as no medical equipment can be accessed or removed from the helicopter until after the investigation is complete. It will then be further assessed in terms of its suitability for future use. I do not know if the same equipment can be used in another helicopter, or if additional equipment may be required.

There are a number of questions asked by the Deputy for which I do not have an immediate answer. I hope we will have the answers in the not too distant future. I am very conscious that the service was put in place to benefit a great many people in the region and that it was widely welcomed. I hope that, as envisaged, it will be able to resume it without undue delay. The incident was most unfortunate, but I am pleased no serious injury resulted from it, which obviously would have been a matter of concern. It is not clear to me when the damaged helicopter will be back in service or what work will require to be undertaken on it. I hope to have the answers to these questions within a reasonable period. I want to be able to state without undue delay what the position is on providing an ongoing service.