Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

I am very pleased to have this opportunity to speak on the subject of the search and rescue helicopter service. There has been much ill-informed comment about the proposed new helicopter contract. As we are in a standstill period of the procurement process and are about to commence contract negotiations I am somewhat constrained in what can be said. However, I can make the following points. The new contract has been presented as a cutback in services. Nothing could be further from the truth. Far from being a cutback, the contract is a massive half a billion euro investment in maritime search and rescue capability on the island. The new contract will cost significantly more on an annual basis than the current contract because of the improved service to be provided. The proposed contract represents a dramatic increase in funding for search and rescue helicopter services-----

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