Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 September 2014
125. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence to outline the extent to which he remains satisfied regarding the resources and facilities available to the Army, Navy and Air Corps with particular reference to modern technology and equipment as required for air and sea surveillance for rescue operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35067/14]
View answerThe Irish Coast Guard has primary responsibility for the provision of search and rescue services within the Irish search and rescue region. A Service Level Agreement is in place with the Irish Coast Guard which sets out, inter alia, the search and rescue support that the Air Corps and Naval Service can provide to the Coast Guard. The provision of onshore assistance by Air Corps helicopters for mountain rescue operations is also covered in the Agreement, as is provision by Air Corps aircraft of fixed wing ‘top cover’ to Coast Guard helicopters operating offshore. The Air Corps Maritime Patrol Squadron carries out aerial surveillance of territorial waters using the two CASA maritime patrol aircraft. These aircraft are equipped with state-of-the-art surveillance and communication equipment which offers aerial assistance to the Naval Service in patrolling the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone.
