Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

I agree with Deputy McGinley that the Air Corps has done a magnificent job over the past 43 years. I join with him in expressing good wishes for the Air Corps, as well as recognising its service over the years. It is appropriate to salute Air Corps personnel, some of whom have made the ultimate sacrifice in performing essential rescue missions. I will refer to those later if I get an opportunity to do so.

As regards the Deputy's key question, the answer is "yes". The service provided by the new company, which is already being provided in Dublin, Shannon and Waterford, will certainly not be any less than heretofore. I think it will provide an enhanced service. The Deputy will be aware that when the decision was taken to replace the Air Corps by this private company in the north west, it was preceded by an evaluation undertaken by the previous Minister, Deputy Michael Smith. Unfortunately, that evaluation concluded that we could no longer be guaranteed a full, 24-hour service from the Air Corps in this regard. We are talking about life and death and we need to have a constant, full-time, 24-hour, dedicated service, which I know this new company will provide.

I take Deputy McGinley's point regarding the transition period between the new company taking over and the Air Corps leaving. I have spoken to my officials and to Air Corps personnel about this and I assure Deputy McGinley and the House generally that there will be no risk during that transitional period. During the training period for the new company, it will be tasked with rescue missions. It has helicopter bases in Shannon, Dublin and Waterford, and the Air Corps will be standing by to render necessary assistance.

As regards the future, the Air Corps will still be available in non-maritime situations to provide certain rescue facilities, including an air ambulance service. That is what we have decided will be the future role for the Air Corps in these situations.

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