Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Acting Chairperson for the opportunity to speak on this important motion. I compliment Senator Craughwell on bringing it forward. It is important that there be an airing of views on all aspects of where we are going with regard to air and sea services and where SAR services fit in with those.

I come from a coastal community. I live three or three and a half miles from the sea and we have the unfortunate and positive view of seeing these helicopters work every month. On a Sunday afternoon three weeks ago, the Waterford-based SAR helicopter had to carry out a cliff rescue at Roberts Cove and take eight people off a cliff face when the tide came in. It worked in conjunction with the local Oysterhaven coastguard service. That kind of joined-up conglomeration works very well on the ground.

Senator Craughwell raised the issue of the future of the service - where it will go, how it will get there and where it will fit into the remit. There are always opportunities to question where and when we should be changing the service. The first thing to acknowledge is that the service we have is top-class and probably unique in the global context. As Senator Dooley mentioned, several pilots and other members of search and rescue services, both private and military, have been lost in the past 20 years and they should be acknowledged. They put their lives at risk every time they are called out. Video footage of the rescue at Roberts Cove to which I referred was recorded from the perspective of the winchman. It was amazing to see where the winchman stood as the crew pulled in eight people one after another. It shows the bravery of those crew members.

This is about trying to make sure that the process of signing a new contract will be transparent and considering where the military and the air services fit in. A transparent process is very important, which is why I welcome the Government amendment. It brings great clarity. As Senator Boyhan stated, it brings much information to the process. That is what this House is about - trying to tease out these important core issues. The House should have a good debate on the motion and then move forward, perhaps through a debate with the Minister for Defence, Deputy Coveney, in the context of where this fits into the national dynamic. That is probably to where we need to push this issue. This should be the start of an important conversation because we have changed our outlook and this is becoming a country that is very much involved in the outdoors on every level. Covid has changed our lives forever, so the need for a positive and hands-on service has never been greater. I support the Government amendment. It is an important debate that this House should have.