Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy is incorrect in stating that there will be a 12 hour service anywhere along the coast. There will be a 24 hour service right around the coast. The Waterford base could go to a 12 hour service after 2013, but there will be a 24 hour search and rescue service in all parts of the coast. The reason we can do this is that the helicopters involved are 55% faster than the current helicopters. They are much larger and are much more capable of manoeuvring around clouds and at night, so the service will be improved. That is reflected in the fact that we are nearly paying twice the current rates.

The question of whether Waterford will be a 12 hour or 24 hour base will not arise until after 2013. It will be kept under review at that stage. The contract negotiations are ongoing and we will try to get the best value possible. The important thing is that we will have a 24 hour search and rescue service all over the coast.

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