Peadar Clohessy
Ceist:9 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Defence the progress being made by the review body on the feasibility of the Air Corps operating a medium range search and rescue helicopter service.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Search and Rescue Service.
Peadar Clohessy
Ceist:13 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Defence the advantages of the Air Corps operating a medium range search and rescue helicopter service as against the coverage currently being provided by a company (details supplied).
I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 13 together. I am advised that the working group, which has been established to bring forward to Government a fully developed and costed proposal for the operation of a medium range helicopter search and rescue service by the Air Corps, including a time-scale for implementation, expects to be in a position to furnish a report in the near future which will form the basis for a memorandum for Government.
The advantages, if any, of the Air Corps operating a medium range helicopter search and rescue service as against the coverage being provided by Irish Helicopters Limited cannot be estimated until such time as the working group has completed its report.
I would point out, however, that in considering all the options available for meeting our future search and rescue helicopter needs, my objective is to deliver the highest achievable standards of reliability, quality and level of rescue service while ensuring the best value for State resources.
How soon can we expect that report to be published? Will it be this year?
I do not think it will be published this year. I understand that in February 1991 the Government approved a five-year contract with Irish Helicopters Limited. I imagine the report will be published next year. The board submitted an interim report in May 1993 and that, together with the detailed requirements of the Department of the Marine, is being considered by a working group which is preparing proposals for Government. This group, which comprises representatives of the Departments of Defence and the Marine and the military authority, expects to be in a position to furnish a report in the near future, but I do not know what it means by the near future.
This matter will be of great interest to people in coastal and island communities. The Air Corps responds positively and efficiently to requests when carrying out rescue work for our island communities. On three occasions this year I had to request its services for Tory Island and it responded very positively. On the last occasion it came to the assistance of a sick cow on the island which, I regret, has since died, but not because of neglect by the Air Corps.
May she rest in peace.
Go ndéana Dia trócaire uirthi, as people say in that community. Will the Minister confirm if Canadian consultants have been employed to consider the feasibility of giving a medium range rescue responsibility to the Air Corps? When does the Minister expect them to furnish their report?
I am not aware of the involvement of Canadian consultants but I understand that in February 1992 the Quarter Master General established a board for the purposes of recommending the most suitable helicopter and associated equipment for the provision of the medium range search and rescue service on our Atlantic seaboard. An interim report was prepared in May 1993. I cannot say when a final report will be furnished but I hope it will be in the near future because the Sikorsky contract expires in five years from February 1991. I am grateful to the Deputy for paying tribute to the Air Corps who did significant work in very difficult circumstances in probably one of the worst winters in living memory. As Minister for Defence, I commend those men and women for the courage they have shown on a regular basis, but particularly in the horrendous weather conditions of the past winter. I am sure that view is unanimous here. I have no doubt the views of Deputy McGinley will be brought to the attention of the general in charge of the Air Corps. I am also glad to be able to announce, as a tribute to the Air Corps, that its members will be getting new and distinctive uniforms in the near future.
Has the Minister made representations to or held discussions with the British authorities about the rumoured policy proposal in Britain whereby there will be cutbacks in the British air and sea rescue services and the obvious knock-on effect on the availability of service in certain areas of the Irish Sea?
I understand that the sea and air rescue service at Brawdy is to be relocated but, effectively, we are dependent on the Sikorsky, which belongs to Irish Helicopters Limited and the Air Corps. I express my deep appreciation to the RAF for its assistance until a number of years ago. It was always willing to assist when we needed assistance and it will be willing to do so in the future if necessary. In the past number of years the roles have been reversed, we have been assisting the RAF. That is a significant achievement on our part but is in no way a diminution of the help it has given us when we wanted it. When it needs us we will come to its assistance. The input from the British authorities has not been diminished as a result of the relocation of our sea and air rescue services.