Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As we speak, the Air Corps is providing the service. There will be four days in the months of November, December, January and February when the EAS Air Corps will not be able to provide a service. When it is unable to provide a service, the community response helicopter will be in place and will be backed up by the Irish Coast Guard. The then Government put this in place in 2015 in line with the decision to establish the emergency air medical service when it said that if it us unable to accept taskings, the Irish Coast Guard will provide cover to the National Ambulance Service. People were looking for this service for as long as I can remember. The Fine Gael-Labour coalition Government in 2011 introduced this service and a memorandum of understanding was drawn up between the Air Corps, Defence Forces, Department of Defence, HSE and Department of Health. It was put in place in 2012 on a trial basis. It was successful in the intervening years and was put on a full-time permanent footing in 2015.

The most important issue is the safety of the people providing the service, including the pilots, Air Corps personnel, and the emergency services staff and patients on board. I could be mistaken but I am not sure that one Member mentioned that. I will mention it.