Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am sure Deputy Crowe would be here and participating in this conversation. It is a shock and we spoke before the meeting.

There are a few items I would like to touch on. The first point I want to raise is the underspend by our Coast Guard. The Minister of State mentioned that €18 million was allocated due to an underspend in the Coast Guard. He also mentioned the new fixed-wing aircraft, which I believe has been acquired and is being certified. How did the €18 million underspend arise? The new contract for search and rescue was mentioned. I have not been briefed on it but I understand it has been taken up by a new company. Perhaps the Minister of State will touch on this. Will we see increased numbers of aircraft? I presume the S-92 helicopters are being replaced by AgustaWestland or some such company. I ask the Minister of State to give us an idea of this.