Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Absolutely. This captain says that asking the Irish Coast Guard to double up is merely a sticking plaster solution and that the sticking plaster solutions of the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, are being applied to a life-and-death scenario. What is most concerning about the letter is that it is written by this captain, a former emergency air ambulance helicopter pilot, who retired after 16 years' service. It is literally from the horse's mouth. He believes, as do I, that to shrug off as an unforeseen consequence the civilian market demand for Air Corps pilots is insulting. I stand in support of the air ambulance crews. I stand in support of the people of Roscommon and the midlands. I stand in support of retired Captain Seán McCarthy. What has gone on is unacceptable and if the Minister of State comes into this House again, he might at least do us the courtesy of answering the questions. If he is stuck for time, he can write to us individually and provide answers.