Barry Ward (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with everything that Senator Cummins has said about the conduct of this debate. It is entirely inappropriate that we have facilitated this debate when a tender process is under way. In the face of some of the proposers' talking about the importance of not undermining the procurement process, we then proceed to have a debate about a procurement process while it is under way. I think it is entirely inappropriate and should not have been facilitated. In addition, all kinds of unsubstantiated allegations have been thrown out there without any evidence or backup. Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.

I fundamentally disagree with Senator Craughwell. We are talking about an Irish company that has in recent years saved literally thousands of lives around the coast of Ireland. This is not a new thing in this House. The Senator has repeatedly pushed this issue despite his own history with the Defence Forces. For starters, the Air Corps is not the right body to carry out search and rescue missions. It is a military body and search and rescue is a civilian function, as it is in the majority of countries around the world. The Air Corps is a body which is totally unregulated. Senator Craughwell is suggesting that the Air Corps, which is subject to regulation, take over search and rescue exercises.

This compares with the current Coast Guard operation with more than 130 Irish jobs. It is run by an Irish company and regulated under extremely strict civilian parameters through the IAA and through European regulators. It is regulated and has provided an exceptional service to the people.

Instead, we have bluster and unsubstantiated allegations. We have claims without evidence and a general thrust which is without basis whatsoever. The reality is that an excellent service is being provided by a group of civilians who are expert in this area, are regulated and are highly qualified. We owe them an enormous debt of gratitude. The Coast Guard provides a service along with volunteers in organisations like the RNLI, mountain rescue and other bodies which deserve our thanks and not our criticism. I regret I do not have more time but I put my support behind the Government amendment.