Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Independent)
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492. To ask the Minister for Defence if all investigations and inquiries into an accident (details supplied) in County Galway have been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42262/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that there have been three separate reports into this tragic accident. The first of these was conducted by the Air Accident Investigation Unit of the Department of Transport. Their Final Report was published on 24^thJanuary 2012 which set out their findings. It found that the probable cause of the accident was the spatial disorientation of the instructor/pilot in conditions of poor visibility resulting in controlled flight into terrain.

The Second, a Coroner’s Inquest was held in May 2012. The jury recorded an open verdict in relation to the instructor pilot and a verdict of accidental death in relation to the cadet.

The third investigation was a military Court of Inquiry which was convened by order of the Chief of Staff on 26^thJuly 2012 and produced its report on 17^thJanuary 2013. The Court of Inquiry’s findings are consistent with the earlier investigations, namely that the probable cause of the accident was the spatial disorientation of the instructor who was piloting the aircraft in conditions of poor visibility at the time.

I understand that the family feels that the content of the Court of Inquiry report introduces issues and opinions which, in their view raises questions concerning their son’s role in this tragic event. I would again like to reassure them that this line of argument is not supported in any report and has never been given any official credence. All of the reports agree that the cadet bore no responsibility of any kind for the accident. The Secretary General and the Chief of Staff met with the family in September and an approach to address the concerns raised by the family has been finalised.

I would like to finish by extending my sincere sympathies to the families of the deceased.