Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2010
61 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the reason he has decided to downgrade Waterford search and rescue helicopter service to a 12-hour service; the impact this will have on an emergency situation; the savings that will be made; if he will provide details of the new contract for 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13067/10]
View answerA procurement process for the Irish Coast Guard helicopter search and rescue service is currently taking place. As the process is ongoing, there are constraints on what I can say, but I will be as helpful as possible. The request for tender, which was drawn up with the assistance of various stakeholders, aims to improve the service nationally through the provision of modern helicopters that are safer and more effective than the current 40-year old Sikorsky S61s.
Bidders were required to quote for a number of alternative options in which the target level of service could be provided. Among these were a 24-hour operation at four bases; a 24-hour operation at three bases; and a 24-hour operation at three bases and a 12-hour operation at one base, the choice of which was to be made by the bidder.
A preferred bidder has now been nominated. The annual cost will increase very substantially as a result of the provision of modern helicopters, but will deliver a marked improvement in the capacity, range, speed and capability of the service. This has enabled the Government to select the option which involves 24-hour availability from three bases and 12-hour cover from one base, while still delivering the required level of service. As a result, the additional funding that will have to be found to meet the cost of the service is somewhat reduced.
There will be no change in the 24-hour availability from the Waterford base before July 2013. While a 12-hour contract is to be negotiated for the subsequent period, the Government is committed to keeping this position under review in the light of the operational requirement at Waterford and the availability of funding.
A 24-hour service at four bases that costs €27 million per annum will be changed for a 24-hour service at three bases and a 12-hour service at one base, which will cost €50 million. That is unacceptable, particularly to the people of the south east. Why is the Minister doing this? Why is the Minister reducing the time cover? Notwithstanding that we will have a different calibre of helicopter, surely it will take longer to go from Dublin to Waterford and from there to a distressed ship. If there is a 24-hour service already in existence, why should people have confidence in a 12-hour service? It is not acceptable. The savings come to €1 million per annum, but the Minister wasted most of that on the DAA competition, so surely he could provide a 24-hour service at four locations for safety reasons.
The Deputy is incorrect in stating that there will be a 12-hour service anywhere along the coast. There will be a 24-hour service right around the coast. The Waterford base could go to a 12-hour service after 2013, but there will be a 24-hour search and rescue service in all parts of the coast. The reason we can do this is that the helicopters involved are 55% faster than the current helicopters. They are much larger and are much more capable of manoeuvring around clouds and at night, so the service will be improved. That is reflected in the fact that we are nearly paying twice the current rates.
The question of whether Waterford will be a 12-hour or 24-hour base will not arise until after 2013. It will be kept under review at that stage. The contract negotiations are ongoing and we will try to get the best value possible. The important thing is that we will have a 24-hour search and rescue service all over the coast.
The Minister's decision is wasting money and putting lives at risk. If there is a 12-hour service in Waterford, then the helicopter will come from elsewhere for the other 12-hours. No matter how fast it is, it will not get five miles off the Waterford coast by the time a helicopter in Waterford could do so.
The south-west coast of the UK is currently served by the AW139 helicopter, which is basically the Air Corps helicopter. If that is good enough for the UK, why is it not good enough for Waterford and for Ireland? Was the Air Corps asked to tender for this process? The Air Corps helicopters can provide a 24-hour service and the same safety that is provided by the British authorities. It is not good enough.
The Deputy is absolutely right. It is not good enough. The UK service is not acceptable at all to me, nor is that kind of helicopter. The reason we are going for this helicopter — the newest of the Sikorsky models — is precisely because the other ones are no longer suitable.
They are being used in the United Kingdom.
I do not care where they are being used. The helicopters we are bringing in are the best for this. They are purpose built and are safer if they have to make a crash landing.
They will not get there on time.
They can carry more personnel, have a longer range and are much better and more effective.
They will not get there on time.
The Deputy says he wants that helicopter in the UK. He should consult with his Members down there. They do not want an inferior service.
They do not.
I am not going to give them one. I am going to give them a better service.
Ceist sesca dó. I want to move on to the next question.
If the 12-hour one is there, the fact is that it will not be there for 24 hours. The final point is who owns the helicopters? At the end of this period the Canadian company will have the helicopters, whereas if the Air Corps had them it would have them for ever. That is the other point; the Minister is wasting good money.
Please Deputy, I must call the next question.
The Air Corps was asked about this and it does not want anything to do with search and rescue.
Were the Air Corps asked, or the Department of Defence?
The Air Corps, specifically.
I do not believe it was.
Ceist sesca dó, le do thóil.
