Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We were told weeks ago that the Minister for Health was meeting the Minister of State at the Department of Defence. It still has not happened. I asked the Taoiseach a clear question. Did the Minister for Health raise this issue directly with the Taoiseach?

These children are waiting for transport now. If they got word that there was a transplant, they would not be able to be transported by the Air Corps now.

The Taoiseach talks about unexpected retirements. Approximately ten retirements are expected in the next year, and five have already given notice.

However, I will come to the crux of the matter. It came in confidential form to our spokesperson on health, Deputy Louise O'Reilly, and it considers the impact of personnel shortages in the Air Corps. The Taoiseach has responsibility for this. The shortages have a direct effect on contingency arrangements for children on the transport list. The current class of pilot cadets will not have been through basic training until next September at the earliest. Then they must undertake further basic training, which can take between one and two years. None of the current class of pilot cadets will be qualified to undertake this type of ambulance mission in 2017 and perhaps into late 2018. With regard to unexpected retirements, not one recommendation in two Department of Defence working group reports on how to retain experienced pilots has been acted on, even though the Taoiseach has held that job for the past six years. This is the Taoiseach's direct responsibility, as is the failure to implement the recommendation in Meadhbh McGivern's case.

These are extremely worrying times for the parents, the children involved and their families. They need clarity on what arrangements are in place. Will the Taoiseach provide clarity? If a family gets word that a transplant is available now, will the Taoiseach outline the contingencies to get the child to where he or she can receive that life-saving operation?

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