Vol. 562 No. 4
136 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the progress which has been made with regard to the proposed location of a 24-hour search and rescue helicopter base for the south-east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6261/03]
It had been hoped that the 24-hour service would commence from Waterford Airport to cover the south-eastern area on 1 January 2003. However, in mid-December 2002, the airport authorities gave notice to my Department that the sole passenger operator at Waterford Airport intended to cease operations on 26 January 2003. The airport authority indicated that, as a consequence, they would be unable to provide the necessary support to enable a 24-hour service to operate there.
The current position is that the airport is in discussions with my Department regarding the provision of a 24-hour search and rescue service and I understand that the airport authority is also in discussions with the Department of Transport, regarding securing the future development of the airport.
In the meantime, the Irish Coast Guard is continuing to operate a 12-hour search and rescue service from Waterford airport and 24-hour cover is being provided from Dublin airport.
