I propose to take Questions Nos. 368 and 374 to 378, inclusive, together.
There has been much ill-informed comment about the proposed new SAR contract. Because we are in the "standstill" period of the procurement process and about to commence contract negotiations I am somewhat constrained by what I can say. However I can make the following points in response to some comments made.
The new contract has been presented as a "cutback" in services; nothing could be further from the truth. The new contract will cost significantly more on an annual basis than the current contract because of the improved services to be provided.
The Government has just approved a massive half a billion euro investment in maritime search and rescue capability on the island. The proposed contract represents a dramatic increase in funding for SAR helicopter services in Ireland from approximately €30 million to €50 million per annum. This is an increase, in difficult circumstances, of €20 million a year in this service alone. The new contract represents a stepped improvement in the capacity, range, speed and capability of Ireland's SAR service. The detailed statistics requested cannot be provided at this time due to industrial action. However I will provide the Deputies with a table and charts that may be of interest to them.
|
Taskings
|
Day
|
Night
|
Waterford 2004
|
91
|
79
|
12
|
Waterford 2005
|
87
|
71
|
16
|
Waterford 2006
|
114
|
94
|
20
|
Waterford 2007
|
91
|
70
|
21
|
Waterford 2008
|
75
|
69
|
14
|
Waterford 2009
|
113
|
81
|
32
|
Shannon 2004
|
152
|
126
|
25
|
Shannon 2005
|
117
|
113
|
14
|
Shannon 2006
|
128
|
117
|
11
|
Shannon 2007
|
150
|
143
|
7
|
Shannon 2008
|
161
|
140
|
21
|
Shannon 2009
|
149
|
105
|
44
|
Sligo 2004
|
14
|
14
|
0
|
Sligo 2005
|
109
|
96
|
13
|
Sligo 2006
|
118
|
89
|
29
|
Sligo 2007
|
118
|
103
|
15
|
Sligo 2008
|
127
|
106
|
21
|
Sligo 2009
|
136
|
95
|
41
|
Dublin 2004
|
119
|
101
|
18
|
Dublin 2005
|
103
|
88
|
15
|
Dublin 2006
|
98
|
53
|
18
|
Dublin 2007
|
99
|
80
|
19
|
Dublin 2008
|
87
|
77
|
15
|
Dublin 2009
|
119
|
80
|
29
|
|
2,675
|
2,190
|
470
|