Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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26. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of reviews of safety in the Air Corps that have taken place over the past six years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43292/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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A number of safety reviews and audits have been undertaken during the period in question. In August 2013, the Air Corps commissioned a review of its Safety Management System. A report entitled “Irish Air Corps Safety Management Review” was completed in November 2013 and is in the process of being implemented. This review arose from one of the recommendations made by the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) of the Department of Transport following the fatal accident which occurred at Cornamona, Co. Galway on 12 October 2009 involving an Air Corps’ Pilatus PC-9 aircraft.

The AAIU also carried out an investigation into the heavy landing incident, involving an Air Corps EC 135 helicopter which occurred near Borrisoleigh, Co. Tipperary on 19 June 2012.

In addition, the Air Corps’ Flight Safety Section has carried out a number of internal reviews/audits and a list of these is included in the tabular statement.