Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have spoken on search and rescue many times in this Chamber. It is coming to the end of a time when I will be able to speak on it. In 2010, the future helicopter study group, FHSG, started to look at what Ireland needed for search and rescue. There was a number of recommendations. One was the implementation of night vision on helicopters. Another was the ability to carry underslung loads in buckets for fighting fires. The third was that they would be able to carry incubators. Ten years on, despite having spent €700,000 plus VAT per aircraft on upgrading them for night vision, and buying goggles for the crews at the cost of €570,000 that the taxpayer paid for, the training has not been completed, as far as I know. They cannot carry the incubators. Anytime there is an incubator call, the Air Corps has to step in. Neither have they been able to provide the underslung buckets. The last time there was a fire in Kerry, we had to call in aircraft from Scotland, as well as the Air Corps.

Who is responsible for oversight? We are responsible for political oversight, but who is responsible for oversight? It is ironic that the company CHC Helicopter got the Irish contract for search and rescue, at a time when they were suspended from public contracts in the UK for insider trading. Somebody has to answer those questions. Corporate governance is a huge part of the safety of the people of Ireland. I am getting very tired of not being able to get answers to questions.

In the last few seconds, I want to thank Dr. James Wilson, who is known to the Cathaoirleach, for organising a 19 km march across the Giant's Causeway on Saturday, in support of Irish veterans. These were members of the Royal British Legion, who stood to gain nothing. I enjoyed four and a half hours walking across the Giant’s Causeway. It is great that when we set politics aside in Northern Ireland, Northern Irish people are as loveable and as giving towards us. They have collected a substantial sum of money for the Jadotville Challenge 2021. I was proud to walk with them. I thank them for taking this initiative.