Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)

The Minister stated the reason the Air Corps association with search and rescue services was terminated was its inability to provide 24 hour cover. Does he agree that is slightly misleading because the Air Corps provided cover 24 hours a day, seven days a week? A temporary difficulty relating to the winch crew arose in December 2002, which could have been negotiated and settled at the time. Until that difficulty arose, 24 hour cover was provided and the reason for terminating the contract was based on a dubious premise.

See this speech in context