asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware of our dependence on RAF aircraft and helicopters for marine search and rescue as indicated in the reply to parliamentary question No. 273 of 29 April 1980; and when the Air Corps will be supplied with the necessary equipment to carry out and improve this function, which the EEC has agreed to fund partly.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Marine Search and Rescue.
31.
I am not aware of our dependence on foreign aircraft for carrying out marine search and rescue operations. Aircraft of the Air Corps are available for call out for such purposes and in 1980 performed 59 search and rescue missions.
The equipment required by the Air Corps to perform such operations is kept under review by the corps. A twin-engined helicopter will be in service in May next and will be available for search and rescue operations.
I might mention, for the Deputy's information, that it is standard practice for adjacent marine rescue co-ordination centres to co-operate in making aircraft available to each other, when necessary, for search and rescue missions. The Air Corps have, in fact, assisted the British authorities in this matter in the past.