Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)

Since it became known in the south east and south coast regions on Monday of last week that it is proposed to reduce the coastguard search and rescue helicopter service from Waterford Airport to daylight hours only there has been outrage across the board. The protest against the proposed downgrading of the helicopter service is about safety - the safety of fishermen, sailors and those involved in sea based and water based leisure activities immediately come to mind.

The fundamental question is whether the safety of these groups in the south east region and along the south coastline is less important than the safety of similar groups in other parts of the country. When major emergencies occur at sea, speed can often be the essence in the matter of best outcomes in regard to life and death. Are the Department of Transport and the Irish Coast Guard seriously suggesting that in the absence of the search and rescue night-time helicopter service at Waterford Regional Airport seafarers in distress at night along the south east and south coasts can be reached as quickly as with the current 24 hour service? Why was the fact that many international air routes cross the area within range of Waterford Airport not taken into consideration as part of the risk assessment?

The decision to downgrade the search and rescue helicopter service at Waterford Regional Airport must be rescinded immediately and I demand that the Minister does just that. When taken in conjunction with the proposal to close the Waterford-Rosslare railway line, the Minister for Transport appears to be hell-bent on reducing transport provision in the south east while developing services elsewhere.

See this speech in context