Department defends €3m blunder on Chad helicopters

THE Department of Defence failed to inspect two helicopters when it spent €3 million hiring the aircraft which proved unable to carry soldiers for an EU mission in Chad.

Shocked TDs were also told the Irish army only became aware of the embarrassing mistake when Dutch troops pointed out the contract blunder.

However, department secretary general Michael Howard defended the transport of troops and equipment for the central African peacekeeping mission, and said overall so far it had been “successful”.

However, he conceded that “not everything was done right... It was not in any way a mechanical difficulty but just a regulatory one [with the helicopters].”

He also admitted that only the paperwork had been inspected and not the helicopters themselves.

Two Mi-8T helicopters were hired from company Air Partners for 16 months in May 2008 for the EU mission, which included pilots and maintenance. After their arrival in the Irish base in Goz Beida, eastern Chad, it emerged the helicopters were not licensed to carry troops.

The aircraft – which cost €2,100 a day to run – were instead used to transport equipment.

Mr Howard blamed the contract error on a promise by other countries in the EU peacekeeping mission to give Ireland helicopters to overcome the tough terrain in Chad.

At the last minute, despite there being 1,270 helicopters between the countries, the international pledge fell through. The army went on to pay €3m for renting two helicopters which were not permitted to carry soldiers. The contract was ultimately rushed, TDs were told.

At a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting yesterday, members questioned how the blunder was made.

Fianna Fáil TD Niall Collins asked why the Aer Corps were not consulted over the contract.

Labour’s Tommy Broughan said it seemed the defence forces were like some sort of Dad’s Army because of problems with equipment.

Committee members were told by state spending watchdog John Buckley the helicopter contract had broken procurement rules and the deal was not done in a business-like way.

But Mr Howard defended the standard of army equipment, weapons and machinery, and instead partly blamed the UN for the helicopter contract error.

The initial Air Partner contract was extended from 10 to 16 months after the UN had taken seven hours to airlift an injured Irish soldier who had broken his arm, TDs were told.

Concern had been raised about the delayed rescue and a decision was taken to use the two helicopters in emergencies. Ultimately, no dangerous situations arose.

But the department chief said there had been a “less than optimal performance” in the UN taking over the mission from the EU in March this year.