Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 June 2016
606. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which the Air Corps and the Naval Service continue to co-operate in air-sea rescue missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17327/16]
View answerMy priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capacity of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible and that they have the resources to carry out their operational commitments. I am satisfied that the Defence Forces, including the Air Corps and Naval Service, have the necessary resources to meet these commitments.
With reference to Search and Rescue, the Irish Coast Guard has overall responsibility for the provision of such services within the Irish search and rescue region. Both the Naval Service and the Air Corps provide support to the Irish Coast Guard in maritime Search and Rescue operations and a Service Level Agreement is in place setting out their roles and responsibilities in this regard.
