Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is not always my call. The Comptroller and Auditor General was critical of this practice and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform changed it. Now, there is much more flexibility allowing Departments to carry moneys forward, so they are less afraid that they will lose funds if they do not spend them.

There have been no cutbacks in helicopter services. In fact, they did a record number of missions this year. The new helicopters can go further, faster, operate in icy conditions and tend to be more comfortable. They are doing work with the HSE. Mr. Chris Reynolds, director of the Coast Guard, can give more detail on this.