Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 48: To ask the Minister for Transport the position regarding the Waterford helicopter search and rescue service; the reason he changed his policy on this matter; if the helicopters are new or second hand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17943/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Government has approved a half a billion-euro investment in maritime search and rescue capability on the island. The contract, which is to run to 2023, makes provision for the operation of 4 bases, of which Waterford is one, on a full time day and night basis. This is the final outcome of a process and does not reflect a change of mind.

The actual choice of helicopter is a matter for the private operator. I expect that one will be new and others will have been in service from 2007.

This investment is a major advancement for search and rescue in Ireland at a time of serious budgetary constraints. The new contract will represent a stepped improvement in the capacity, range, speed and capability of Ireland's SAR service.