Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 February 2004
16 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Defence his views on the recent privatisation of air search and rescue services which has followed the Government's withdrawal of the Air Corps from search and rescue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3384/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra24 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Defence the search and rescue bases now maintained and operated by the Air Corps; the role he expects the Air Corps to play in search and rescue operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3285/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 24 together.
The Irish Coast Guard has overall responsibility for the provision of maritime search and rescue services within the Irish search and rescue region. The Air Corps provides the search and rescue, SAR, service off the north west coast while CHCI, a private operator, provides the service from Dublin, Shannon and Waterford.
In the period from late September 2003, there was an unusually high incidence of sick leave among the Air Corps rearcrew — winchmen and winch operators. As service continuity within the north west SAR operation could not be guaranteed with the existing rearcrews, the GOC of the Air Corps posted 13 of the 17 personnel to other duties. The four remaining crew were due to return to duty, but three opted to transfer out of SAR. As a result, the north west SAR operation was limited in that it was unable to provide a winching service. While most other aspects of the SAR service continued to be provided, the lack of a winching capability severely eroded the level of service on offer and potentially compromised the safety of mariners.
In view of this, I asked my officials to work with the Air Corps to determine when it might be in a position to return to full SAR service. This examination took place against a background where CHCI, the provider of all other SAR services in the State, had submitted a proposal to the Irish Coast Guard indicating that it could provide a service within a relatively short timeframe.
As I have said in the past, the safety of Air Corps personnel is of paramount importance. Training new winchcrews and enabling them to acquire the requisite experience, including experience in theatre, would have meant that the Air Corps would have been unable to return to a 24 hour full SAR service until March 2005. In addition, because of the small scale of the Air Corps SAR operation, it would continually be at risk from the loss of small numbers of experienced personnel. In view of this, I advised my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, of the situation and of my decision to withdraw the Air Corps Search and Rescue Service in the north west.
We can never lose sight of the fact that search and rescue is an emergency life saving service, which seafarers must be able to rely on in all circumstances. In the absence of the Air Corps being able to provide the required level of service, and given the level of ongoing risk of the service not being available because of a lack of trained backup Air Corps personnel, the reliability of the service offered by the Air Corps would always be in question. The Air Corps will continue to provide its current limited service, while the coast guard makes alternative arrangements for the return of a full SAR service in the north west. It is expected that these arrangements will be in place within a matter of weeks.
This was not an easy decision. The Air Corps has a long and distinguished tradition in providing search and rescue services and I know this decision was a real disappointment for them. I am also aware of the very significant efforts of Air Corps management and staff to maintain an operational SAR service in the north west, in particular, the dedication and commitment of key personnel within the north west search and rescue operation. However, the provision of this essential emergency service requires that a full team be available 24 hours a day and seven days a week. The Air Corps was not in a position to provide this.
