MoD willcharge forsnowstormchoppers

THE MoD will charge for the helicopter support provided by the RAF during the recent inclement weather but the Irish Air Corps will not.
By Kevin MULLAN
Published 4th May 2013, 15:25 BST
British Army Chinnock helicopter drops in animal supplies to farms in Glenariff Co Antrim just after 1630hrs on the fifth day of the snoow crisis. PICTURE PADDY MCLAUGHLIN/KEVIN MCAULEY PHOTOGRAPHY MULTIMEDIABritish Army Chinnock helicopter drops in animal supplies to farms in Glenariff Co Antrim just after 1630hrs on the fifth day of the snoow crisis. PICTURE PADDY MCLAUGHLIN/KEVIN MCAULEY PHOTOGRAPHY MULTIMEDIA
British Army Chinnock helicopter drops in animal supplies to farms in Glenariff Co Antrim just after 1630hrs on the fifth day of the snoow crisis. PICTURE PADDY MCLAUGHLIN/KEVIN MCAULEY PHOTOGRAPHY MULTIMEDIA

Farms Minister Michelle O’Neill was asked at the Stormont Assembly if she had paid for the use of helicopters to drop supplies to farmers stranded by snow.

She explained that due to Treasury protocols: “The Ministry of Defence (MoD) expects to be reimbursed when it provides support to the civil authorities throughout Britain and the north of Ireland.

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“The detail of the actual costs for the use of helicopters to drop supplies to farmers are still being worked out and have not yet been presented to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.”

By contrast the Irish Air Corps provided air support free of charge.

“The Irish Air Corps have indicated that there would be no charge for the aerial support provided by them to get supplies of fodder to livestock,” said Ms O’Neill.

Related topics:Michelle O'NeillRAFBritainIreland