I welcome the Minister of State to hear the Adjournment debate on this very important and emotive issue for all citizens who live in the south-east region. No one knows when an accident or emergency at sea or any place will occur. It is ridiculous that the Government is once again cutting our frontline emergency services in an attempt to save costs without any transparency around the decision or any regard for the consequences or for saving lives. I understand the savings in this case are estimated to be €1 million.
The south-east helicopter search and rescue service had its busiest year last year with 115 call-outs. I understand the Cabinet has already agreed to cut this service, based in Waterford Airport, from a 24-hour to a 12-hour service. How many lives will be lost before the Government recognises it cannot and must not shut down this essential emergency service? This latest cut will mean any casualty, whether a swimmer, a fisherman or otherwise, who gets into difficulty after 9 p.m. off the south-east coast must wait an extra 40 minutes at least for the arrival of a sea rescue helicopter from a base other than Waterford Airport. This time lag will mean the difference between life and death in the majority of incidences.
The Waterford base is included in a recently published document entitled, A Search and Rescue Framework for Emergency Management, which I have before me. It is dated 2 March 2010. I understand it is a controlled document which means, I presume, the Minister and departmental officials are privy to certain information not available to the public. I would be interested to know the full details of this document. It was prepared by the experts in this area. I am very concerned that for savings of €1 million the accountants in the Department of Transport are dictating that emergency services such as this helicopter service are to be cut.
The new contract allows for an increased budget. The Minister for Transport informs us it will improve the service because it will mean that faster, newer helicopters can be provided from the other three bases. I have news for the Minister. It is not an improved service. In fact, it is a diminished service that is neglecting the needs of an entire population of the south-east region and beyond because the waters off the south-east coast are very busy and used for shipping, boating, swimming, fishing and many other purposes. It is essential this service is retained.
More than 20,000 members have signed up to a Facebook campaign opposing this measure. These members have emerged in the space of several days, representing a very significant response. This shows the great concern in response to the proposed cut.
The contract for this change has not yet been signed and there is still time to review this decision. I appeal to the Minister and the Cabinet to review the decision and to provide for full transparency in respect of why this cut is being imposed and why the people of the south east are being treated on an unequal basis relative to those in other parts of the country. This is an illogical decision. We are an island nation, surrounded by water. However, we are cutting one of the most essential services provided by the Government almost one decade ago, a fact which I acknowledge. It is important that this service should be retained. I look forward to hearing the response of the Minister for State, as do thousands of people in the south east and beyond. What is the Government doing to retain this service and to protect what is an essential emergency service?
