Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I second the amendment and I commend the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Deputy Naughton, on being here today. I welcome this debate. It is important at the beginning of our debate that we pay tribute to and thank all those involved in search and rescue, in particular the men and women who put their lives at risk to save people on a daily basis. Many of us know people who have been rescued. Many of us know people who are working diligently every day. It is to that end that the language and words we use in this debate are important. It is important that we deal in fact rather than supposition. Equally important for us as parliamentarians is the integrity and transparency of the procurement process. As Senator Dooley rightly said, it must be solid and it is important that an open and competitive procurement process is not undermined, whether here in Seanad Éireann, in Dáil Éireann, in public utterances or wherever. We all remember the infamous words of John Bruton about transparency. It is important that transparency is to the core of what we do.

At the same time I welcome the Defence Forces 400-page document put forward as a plan to the Department of Transport. As Senator Dooley said, the Air Corps and Coast Guard are important component parts. The words of the Minister for Defence, Deputy Coveney, are also critical in the context that some element of this may be given to the Defence Forces. The capacity issue is vital. It is all about ensuring that we have, as the amendment states, a clear process that deals with all people in a fair transparent manner.

I am a member of the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications Networks. Senator Craughwell is also a member and has raised the matter at the committee. We are dealing with EU procurement law. We are a member state of the European Union. The members of the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications Networks have been told EU procurement law is complex and several core principles cannot be undermined. This cannot be emphasised enough. It is about public procurement. It is about ensuring that the process is fair, equitable, transparent and non-discriminatory. They are important terms. They are not terms on a page or terms for the sake of ticking a box. They are important. That is why we have to pay heed to them. Whether it is a question of the subdivision of contracts or the division of contracts, everyone wants to ensure that we have a process that is rigorous, evidence-based and fully compliant and that the integrity of the procurement process is not in any way contradicted or contaminated.If it was, Members would be coming in here and giving out. They would be going to the Committee of Public Accounts. They would be hauling the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Coveney, or whoever else in before a committee. Let us be careful in adhering to this code.

The engagement of stakeholders has been mentioned today. From the national search and rescue plan I am led to believe that there has been a huge scale of engagement. I welcome that. The plan put forward in 2019 is critical and should be followed in its essence because it is about ensuring there are well prepared, effectively deployed men and women who are trained and equipped to the highest level.

In his reply, I ask Senator Craughwell to name the sources of his information that many of us do not have. You referenced figures and you might tell us where you got them. Who gave them to you? Are they correct? I do not know. I am not eminently qualified but if you are going to come into the House to make claims, then substantiate your points.