Results 4,121-4,140 of 5,763 for speaker:Gerard Craughwell

Seanad: Search and Rescue Policy: Motion (2 Feb 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: The business case compared the cost of a commercial operator akin to the current service and a service supported by the Air Corps. In every choice available, the commercial costs were trimmed and the Air Corps costs were increased. For example, the commercial aircraft were made smaller and cheaper in the business case than the current S-92 helicopter, while the Air Corps helicopter was made...

Seanad: Search and Rescue Policy: Motion (2 Feb 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: I have not been provided with a copy of the amendment.

Seanad: Search and Rescue Policy: Motion (2 Feb 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: It is interesting that, while a number of Senators have said that I have provided information during this debate that was factually inaccurate, they have not provided any evidence of those inaccuracies. I would love for them to specify what they are. The Committee of Public Accounts was mentioned. It is interesting to note that it and the Comptroller and Auditor General carry out...

Seanad: Search and Rescue Policy: Motion (2 Feb 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: I did not interrupt the Senators.

Seanad: Search and Rescue Policy: Motion (2 Feb 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: He may ask his question.

Seanad: Search and Rescue Policy: Motion (2 Feb 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: We are in the pre-tendering process, so there is no difficulty whatsoever in calling these matters out. My colleague Senator Cummins adverted to the fact that I put out a tweet about Waterford Airport. He stood 100% behind the Government during the debate in 2021 - everything was going to be fine and grand, and we should trust the Government. The Government published a PQQ that would see...

Seanad: Search and Rescue Policy: Motion (2 Feb 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: I know what he is going to ask, but he can fire away.

Seanad: Search and Rescue Policy: Motion (2 Feb 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: It was put out for three bases and one fixed wing.

Seanad: Search and Rescue Policy: Motion (2 Feb 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: I am going to continue now.

Seanad: Search and Rescue Policy: Motion (2 Feb 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: Thank you.

Seanad: Search and Rescue Policy: Motion (2 Feb 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: Senator Cummins mentioned my tweet, which led to Deputy Shanahan initially and then Deputy Verona Murphy immediately raising concerns in the south east. Deputy Cullinane then called a meeting of all elected representatives in the south east. It is my belief that my tweet led to that happening and to the securing of R117 at Waterford Airport. Senator Cummins was out on the radio two or...

Seanad: Search and Rescue Policy: Motion (2 Feb 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: If the Senator did save the base, I am delighted, but I did not hear anything from him over the past two years while we were discussing it.

Seanad: Search and Rescue Policy: Motion (2 Feb 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: Senator Ward spoke about how the civilian SAR provider is subject to such great regulation while the military is not. First and foremost, the military is involved in SAR all day, every day. That is what it does.

Seanad: Search and Rescue Policy: Motion (2 Feb 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: Second, the report on R116 showed a terrible lack of regulation.

Seanad: Search and Rescue Policy: Motion (2 Feb 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: The report on R116 is damning of everyone who was involved in SAR at the time. There was no oversight, control or regulation. The entire process was a bloody mess. To come in here and suggest that the civilian provider was subject-----

Seanad: Search and Rescue Policy: Motion (2 Feb 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: No, not on this occasion. I have taken two already. To come in here and suggest that the civilian provider was subject to rigorous regulation is a nonsense. Go back and read the report on R116 to see what it says. The bottom line is that there is a business case, which sets out what this contract is expected to do. There is no reason the business case cannot be published. This nonsense...

Seanad: Search and Rescue Policy: Motion (2 Feb 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: The pilots involved threatened to strike in 2019. Let us be honest.

Seanad: Search and Rescue Policy: Motion (2 Feb 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: The Comptroller and Auditor General spoke about the waste of €7 million-----

Seanad: Search and Rescue Policy: Motion (2 Feb 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: -----on providing night-vision technology that was not used until recently.

Seanad: Search and Rescue Policy: Motion (2 Feb 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: The bottom line is that we are where we are. My final word to the Minister of State today is for her to release the business case and prove me wrong. I do not believe that she will or that it would prove me wrong. That is it. End of story.