Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As a former Minister with responsibility for transport, I am very aware of this matter and the essential search and rescue services provided by our Coast Guard and its contractors. As there is a contractual process under way, I am a little limited in what I can say. I can say what we expect to be the outcome and a contractual process must follow. We anticipate the outcome will be that there will continue to be four bases and they will be the same four bases at Waterford, Sligo, Cork and Dublin. I think it is those four. There is a contractual process under way, however, and it must follow a certain procedure. I hope it can give people some reassurance that the Government is very happy with the service we have currently and we would not like to see it diminished.

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