Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Craughwell for his contribution today. The provision of an effective maritime search and rescue service is critical to Ireland as an island nation with a strong maritime sector, which depends on the reliability and professionalism of the Irish Coast Guard and all its component parts, including the Coast Guard aviation service, to offer a service which we all agree can deploy at a moment's notice to rescue people in distress and bring them to a place of safety.

As noted earlier, since receipt of the draft final report in September 2019, the Department of Transport has undertaken a significant programme of change across key sectors to take account of the issues raised and recommendations made at that time. As Senator Craughwell correctly says, the measures fall under six broad categories. The Minister for Transport assures me that he is confident these measures will strengthen the safe conduct of search and rescue operations. I will bring the observations raised by the Senator to the attention of the Minister.