Madeleine Taylor-Quinn
Question:6 Mrs. Taylor-Quinn asked the Minister for the Marine the action which is currently being taken within his Department to put in place, at an early date, an improved air sea search and rescue service.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Air-Sea Rescue Services.
Austin Deasy
Question:54 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Marine the action he proposes to take on the report from the review group set up to examine the air sea rescue services; and the timescale of such action.
Jim Higgins
Question:70 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for the Marine the action he proposes to take on the report of the review group set up to examine the structure of the air sea rescue services; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Limerick West): I propose to take priority Questions Nos. 6, 54 and 70 together.
I expect to submit the report to the Government before the end of June. The timescale for action taken on foot of the recommendations contained in the report will depend on the nature of the decisions taken by Government.
Five or six weeks ago the Minister for the Marine indicated in this House that the report would be with the Cabinet within weeks. The report is with his Department since 13 February 1990. Sitting to present that report were officials of his Department, the Department of Tourism and Transport and the Departments of Defence and Finance. Why has it taken so long for the report to be submitted to Cabinet? Is something sinister happening in the background seeing the promise given by the Minister over five weeks ago has not been fulfilled?
(Limerick West): A draft memorandum for Government on the matter has been circulated to the Departments concerned. I have asked those Departments to have their observations back to me by 19 June and I expect their observations are with me at present.
Would the Minister agree that at this stage the people affected by this are tired of listening to references to memoranda and reports? The issue is one of life and death and this Government have responsibility to act in relation to the report. Is the Minister aware that some time ago in Cork the county coroner said a man's life could have been saved had a proper helicopter been available which was not available at the time? Is something very funny going on behind the Cabinet scenes and this Government are considering the purchase of another executive jet and the recommendations of the air-sea rescue services report are being put on the back burner——
I have to appeal for brevity on this because these are questions nominated for priority for which obviously a rigid time limit applies.
Are the Government considering the purchase of another executive jet and, if so, will this jet be purchased at the expense of a proper helicopter which is needed to have a proper air-sea rescue service in place?
I am afraid my appeal for brevity is not being responded to.
(Limerick West): The purchase of an executive jet does not arise on this question. If a Deputy wants to put down a separate question on that I have no doubt the relevant Minister will answer it. Listening to the Deputy one would feel nothing has happened in the meantime. I want to let her know that on 4 September last year the Air Corps detached a Dauphin helicopter on a rotational basis to Shannon with effect from 4 September. She should be happy about that. It went into her constituency.
The County Cork coroner said that was not adequate in relation to what is required.
(Limerick West): Nine military personnel are allocated on a rotational basis, two pilots, two aircrew and five for maintenance transport. Since then the Air Corps at Shannon have flown 101 missions including mountain rescue, marine rescue island relief and air ambulance at a total of 195 hours 55 minutes.
He is not answering the question.
(Limerick West): The recommendation that the Air Corps Dauphin be located at Shannon has been implemented. At Finner Camp, County Donegal, increasing use for search and rescue helicopter operations is in course of being implemented and the necessary upgrading work is being carried out. The recommendation that three Alouette helicopters be reintroduced for daylight search and rescue has been implemented also. Three refuelling sites around the coast are being upgraded for refuelling of search and rescue helicopters and equipment.Contracts in that respect are being placed. Day and night helicopters training exercises with the LE Eitne are being carried out on the west coast and a limited amount of work is being done. Many other recommendations in the areas of search and rescue are being implemented.
What about the recommendations in the report?
(Limerick West): The recommendations in the report will be considered by the Government and a decision will be taken by the Government.
Why the delay?
(Limerick West): A decision will be made by the Government.
Let us get on with questions.
(Limerick West): The Deputy should be aware——
The Minister promised it here six weeks ago and it was before the Government within two weeks of that time.