Vol. 427 No. 2
122 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Minister for the Marine if he has satisfied himself with the operations of the Air/Sea Marine Rescue Service based on the west coast; the present level of service and facilities provided; the proposals, if any, he has to further enhance this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
As I advised the House in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 37 of 24 February 1993, I am satisfied with the current deployment of search and rescue helicopters along the west coast which is in line with the recommendations of the Doherty Review Group on Air/Sea Rescue Services. I will be keeping the service under close review however.
Twenty four hour coverage is provided by the Sikorsky helicopter based at Shannon which is operated by the Irish Marine Emergency Service of the Department, and the Air Corp's Dauphin helicopter based at Finner, County Donegal.
Since coming into service in July, 1991, the Department's helicopter has completed over 200 successful missions and saved 146 lives.
