Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We still provide some services to the HSE and will continue to do so. In approaching the challenge we had, we had to own up and say that we were not able to guarantee the service. We cannot say that we would be able to fly through the night or whatever the story is. We will not be able to be there 24-7. It would be wrong of me and I would be shirking my responsibility if I did not approach the Minister for Health and tell him that. The Senator would be jumping across the table at me now if a patient had died or something like that.

As I have said on numerous occasions, I face up to the challenges we face. That is why we have made a joint submission to the pay commission on pilots. I hope it will be concluded before the end of the year.

In 2013 the number of patrol days carried out by the Naval Service was 1,382. In 2014 the number was 1,127; in 2015, 1,204; in 2016, 1,376; and in 2017, 1,408. At the end of August it was 928. I presume it is now nearly 1,000. I expect that we will match or perhaps even overtake the number in 2017.