Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I send a message of solidarity to the families of Dara Fitzpatrick, Paul Ormbsby, Mark Duffy and Ciarán Smith to let them know that they are in our thoughts and prayers. I also commend the ongoing rescue effort off the coast in Blacksod Bay which is now entering its tenth day. As each day passes, the stress on the families, as well as members of the Irish Coast Guard, the Naval Service, An Garda Síochána, the RNLI, the Air Corps, the Commissioners of Irish Lights and other agencies, increases. The massive collective effort is testament to their courage and professionalism. I also thank local fishermen and the local community for all they are doing on a daily basis to help the families and assist in the efforts to recover the crew of R116. I particularly thank commander of the LÉ Eithne, Brian Fitzgerald, for his hospitality and all he and his crew are doing to enable the missing crew members of R116 to be reunited with their families. I wish them well in their search again today.

My party colleague, Deputy Martin Ferris, asked by way of a parliamentary question, for a simple statutory instrument to be enacted by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Shane Ross, to place the Irish Coast Guard which is leading the search on a statutory footing. In his reply to the question the Minister states he is happy with the current legislative arrangements and that he sees no need for extra measures. In that context, I ask the Minister if he has listened to the members of the Irish Coast Guard. Has he heard the concerns they have voiced about helicopter provision and the security of sites around the country? Is he aware of the need for the Irish Coast Guard facility in Belmullet to be upgraded? I ask that he be invited back to the House, in the light of the recent tragedy, to discuss the urgency attached to dealing with all of these issues.