Dáil debates

Wednesday, 24 March 2010

Adjournment Debate

Search and Rescue Service.

8:00 pm

Photo of Johnny BradyJohnny Brady (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Deputies O'Shea, Coveney, Kehoe, Stanton, Deasy and Browne have ten minutes and therefore they will have about a minute and a half each.

Photo of Brian O'SheaBrian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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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The decision to downgrade the search and rescue helicopter service at Waterford Regional Airport must be rescinded immediately and I demand that the Minister does just that.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.

9:00 pm

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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In the absence of the Minister for Transport, I ask the Minister of State, Deputy Andrews, to take serious note of this issue. It is very unusual in an Adjournment debate in this House that the three main parties are represented and speaking off the same hymn sheet with the same concerns.

I am one of the people who has been privileged to experience first hand the professionalism of the search and rescue helicopter service coming from Waterford, having been picked up off a boat in fairly rough conditions, and I am convinced that this is a misguided decision. It will put people's lives in danger and in time will be reversed following a tragedy off the south or south east coast, whether that be 50 miles south of Waterford or off Kinsale or Cork Harbour. It is not acceptable to have only day time cover for the entire south coast, from Wexford through to Glandore and 50 miles southwards. These are busy fishing waters with shipping lanes which are used for recreational purposes, including angling and sailing. It is not true that a helicopter based in Shannon or Dublin could cover this section of water in an adequate time period. Time is of the essence if a boat is sinking or someone is in the water at night. Fortunately, a number of lives have been saved in the past two or three years directly as a result of having an active and professional helicopter service based in Waterford.

To seek to save no more than €1 million per annum in the context of a contract worth €500 million over ten years is irresponsible and will, unfortunately, result in a tragic and unnecessary death off the south coast. I understand the contract will be signed next week. I ask the Minister of State to appeal to the Cabinet to reverse its decision before the signing take place.

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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It is unfortunate that I must speak tonight on the Coast Guard helicopter service serving the south east and waters off the south east and south coasts. This is a vital service for people in counties Cork, Waterford, Wexford and south County Wicklow. As a Deputy from a county with a strong fishing industry, I am all too aware of the importance of the Coast Guard helicopter service. A number of fishing tragedies occurred in late 2007 and early 2008, primarily in counties Waterford and Wexford, although a number of boat owners in County Cork were also involved. At that time, the importance of the service became clear.

Deputy Coveney is correct that the proposed measure will be reversed when lives are lost. I cannot believe the Cabinet gave a green light to a recommendation to reduce the Coast Guard helicopter service based at Waterford Airport. The decision to reduce the service to daylight hours only is a major issue in the affected counties. It is sad that the Cabinet agreed that lives will be put at risk for the sake of money.

When I asked how a major tragedy off the Cork, Waterford or Wexford coasts would be handled by emergency helicopters based in Shannon, Sligo or Dublin, I was informed the new fleet of helicopters is 50% faster than the current fleet. I do not accept this is a solution because having a local service is the best and safest practice. It is unacceptable that the Waterford based service will be reduced to daylight hours. A person's life is worth more than the potential savings from the proposal. A full 24 hour, seven day service would cost an additional €1 million.

I ask the Minister of State to tell the Minister for Transport and his officials that people living along the southern and south eastern coastlines will not accept the Government's decision lying down. The proposal is a holy scandal and the Minister for Transport must reconsider it.

I thought members of the Cabinet were considerate individuals. The decision to reduce the Coast Guard helicopter service in the southern and south eastern coasts is absurd. I ask the Minister to reverse it before the contract is signed in the days ahead.

Photo of David StantonDavid Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing Deputies to raise this important issue. I am disappointed, however, that the Minister for Transport is not present to hear our contributions.

The two lifeboats based in Youghal and Ballycotton in my area work closely with the Coast Guard helicopter service in search and rescue operations. My colleagues referred to accidents and tragedies. One of the busiest shipping lanes in the world is located only 50 miles south of Youghal, Knockadoon, Ballymacoda, Ballycotton and Cobh. Moreover, pleasure boating has increased significantly in recent years and we are hoping to have new marinas in the area shortly. This is important in light of the strong emphasis on tourism at present. People become sick and have heart attacks on boats and ships. Time is, therefore, of the essence.

I could not believe the news that we would only have a daytime service in the region as a result of the night service being removed from Waterford. The decision does not make sense. The crews in Waterford know the region and have trained in the area, which is important in the case of services of this nature. If the newer helicopters are faster than the current fleet, why not locate them in Waterford and have a 24 hour service in the region? I understand the new helicopters are smaller and may not be able to carry as many survivors.

In the matter of saving lives, which is what we are discussing, time is of the essence and minutes count. Irrespective of whether someone has had a heart attack on a ship or boat or somebody is in the water, it is vital that help arrives as quickly as possible. I am afraid that this decision, if implemented, which I hope will not be the case, could put lives at risk. Let us see sense and stop the measure.

Photo of John DeasyJohn Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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In recent days, the Minister for Transport, Deputy Noel Dempsey, has made a number of what could be characterised as insulting or at least dubious comments. At a road opening a couple of days ago, he stated that the Coast Guard service was the entity that made the recommendation on the helicopter service which went before Cabinet for decision. That is not true, as we learned in our discussions with representatives of the Coast Guard service a couple of days ago. They made clear that while they laid out some options for the Department, it was the Department that made the specific recommendation that went to Cabinet. That is an important point of distinction.

The Minister also stated the measure would result in a better service. While it may create a better service for people on the western and northern seaboards and parts of the eastern seaboard, it will certainly not create a better service for the southern and south eastern coastlines. The important point is that someone who ends up in the water after an accident will have to wait longer for a helicopter to come to his or her rescue.

The budget for the rescue service contract over ten years has been increased to more than €500 million. How one can end up with a worse service after increasing the budget demonstrates, without a shadow of a doubt, bad government.

Deputies debated the Road Traffic Bill this week. I cannot help but recall the premise cited for introducing the Bill, particularly its provisions on drink-driving. It was touted in the newspapers week after week that the drink-driving measure would save between one and ten lives every year. The decision by the Cabinet to remove the 24 hour helicopter rescue service from Waterford will cost lives in the south and south east. The level of concern shown for road traffic accident victims does not appear to be matched by concern for people in the region affected by the decision.

Photo of John BrowneJohn Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I will share time with my colleague from County Waterford, Deputy Brendan Kenneally.

For many years, people from across the political divide fought to secure a 24 hour helicopter rescue service for Waterford. Having secured the service in 2004, it is daft that in 2010 we are informed it will be reduced to a 12 hour service. We have had discussions with officials from the Department on the matter. When I met the Minister for Transport this evening on a walk through the House, I informed him, as a Fianna Fáil Party Deputy and chairman of the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party, that it is unacceptable to Deputies from the south east that this service will be reduced for the sake of achieving savings of €1 million per annum.

In recent days, the Department informed us that the budget for the emergency rescue service has been increased from €27 million to €52 million. Despite this increase, people in the south east will suffer because of a shortfall of €1 million. We are talking about Arklow, Rosslare Europort, major fishing ports, Belmont Harbour and right into Cork, involving probably 1 million people along the coastline. Only a small amount of money is involved but it is very important to the people of the south east that this service is restored.

I ask the Minister of State, Deputy Andrews, as a Fianna Fáil Deputy, to bring the message loud and clear to the Minister for Transport, Deputy Dempsey, and to the Taoiseach, that we want a 24 hour service from 2013, the same as exists at present. Nothing else is acceptable. We are entitled to the same service for our people on the south-east coastline as that enjoyed by the people in the west, the south and Dublin. It is not good enough to say that a helicopter will arrive only nine minutes later because now they are faster, better and more modern, with paramedics on board and all of that. If a person is in the water, nine minutes is a long time. This situation should not have to be accepted. A huge amount of money is being spent in the Department of Transport. The sum of €1 million per year is a mere pittance and I ask the Minister to reverse this decision. More important, I ask the Taoiseach to ensure at the next Cabinet meeting, in the ten days before the contract is signed, that we will have our 24 hour service returned.

Photo of Brendan KenneallyBrendan Kenneally (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Deputy Browne for agreeing to share his time with me. I agree wholeheartedly with all the previous speakers. We are discussing health and safety and in my view one cannot put a price on that. I shall relate a very quick story arising from a telephone call I received from a woman who rang my office and spoke to me about her experience a number of years ago when she was on a ferry leaving Rosslare. This was before we had the 24 hour service in Waterford. It was a very rough crossing and unfortunately a man was swept overboard. The captain was informed immediately and the boat turned around. It takes a while to turn one of those vessels around. People could see the man floundering in the water. He was able to keep swimming for some time but it was too rough to launch a boat to go to him. The ship could not get too close because it would drag him underneath. The crew had called for the helicopter, which was not coming from Waterford, but a few minutes before it arrived that man drowned. He could not keep going any longer.

If we do not bring the 24 hour service to Waterford this will happen again and again. We cannot put a price on health and safety. At the briefing we had with officials in the Department of Transport last Monday, they told us it would take an extra 9.5 minutes for the helicopter to arrive during the down period in Waterford Regional Airport. That would have been too late for the man I mentioned and it will be too late for the next person if the same thing happens to somebody on a ferry or a fishing boat or to a person involved in leisure activities. It is not good enough.

We in the south east give cross-party support to this matter and are as one on it. We will not stand for the cutback and I hope the Minister of State will bring that message back to the Minister, Deputy Dempsey.

Photo of Barry AndrewsBarry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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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-----

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Can we have a copy of the Minister of State's speech?

Photo of Barry AndrewsBarry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I do not have any copies. In normal circumstances the ushers circulate copies. I will undertake to ensure they will be provided to Deputies at the earliest time possible. I appreciate their flexibility.

The proposed contract represents a dramatic increase in funding for search and rescue helicopter services in Ireland, from approximately €30 million to €50 million per annum. This is an increase of €20 million a year for this service alone in difficult circumstances. The Government has also approved the retention of four helicopter bases, including Waterford, for a period to at leas 2023. The new contract represents a stepped improvement in the capacity range, speed and capability of Ireland's SAR service.

Photo of John DeasyJohn Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Did the Minister of State say 2023?

Photo of Barry AndrewsBarry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The date was 2023, with regard to Waterford.

Photo of John DeasyJohn Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Was it for a 24 hour service?

Photo of Barry AndrewsBarry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The existing contract expires on 30 June 2010 but includes a once-off option to extend individual bases flexibly, by different lengths, to a maximum of three years to 30 June 2013. The Government therefore decided to replace the current flight at a significant additional cost of approximately €20 million per annum.

Modern helicopters are much more capable than the current aircraft and fly at about 155 knots. They can lift more people from further out at sea and are usually able to fly in cloud. They are also more available and dependable, requiring less routine maintenance and are less prone to break down.

Bidders were required to quote for a number of options by which the target level of service could be provided. Each of the compulsory options meant that the Coastguard helicopter would reach at least 70% of all incidents within one hour. The preferred bidder has now been nominated and the Department of Transport is in the standstill period before contract negotiations can begin. The annual cost will increase very substantially as a result of the provision of modern helicopters. This increased cost must be found from within the Department of Transport's existing budget over the next ten years. However, it will deliver a marked improvement in the service. The new helicopters will fly to the scene of the mission faster, find the vessels or persons in the water more efficiently using better search surveillance and tracking tools, winch them to safety more quickly, provide better medical facilities on board and return them to safety in the shortest time possible.

I confirm again that there will be no change in the 24 hour availability from the Waterford base from July 2013, if ever. Furthermore, the future of Waterford Airport as a base for a coastguard SAR helicopter will be cemented until at least 2023. Although a 12 hour contract is to be negotiated for the post-2013 period the Government is committed to keeping this position under review in the light of the operational requirement at Waterford, the availability of funding and contract negotiations. To put the 12 hour operation in context, in 2009 this would have required 13 of the 113 missions flown from Waterford to be met from another base. In some cases the new helicopters would have arrived earlier but, on average, the additional time required would have been about ten minutes.

At a national level, in difficult financial circumstances, this new contract is a major recognition by the Government of the value of the Irish Coastguard and the communities it serves. It is also a substantial commitment to the continuing development of Irish maritime safety services.

I thank the Deputies for their understanding.