Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Some time ago I reported that one of our CHC helicopters was forced to land on Valentia Island. Some weeks ago, one of our helicopters was forced to make an emergency landing in Derry, and I understand that, last night, Rescue 115 was forced to land off the coast of Clifden. I have brought up the issue of this organisation several times in this House, and I am very concerned it may be operating without qualified technicians. I asked for the Minister to come to the House and I think the Leader was trying to get the Minister in. I hope she can do that. There have been three incidents in a very short space of time. We must always remember we lost four people off the coast of Mayo and that, in the report of that particular incident, we were shown this organisation was reckless in its behaviour and in the way in which it operated. This is a matter of public record. Three of its helicopters have been forced to land. To find that helicopters are being forced to land for one reason or another is simply not good enough. We need the Minister in the House.

Speaking of Ministers, I have noticed that a single Minister is arriving to respond to Commencement matters across all Departments. It shows absolutely no respect for the Seanad. We are as entitled as the other House to have Ministers answer questions here or have Ministers of State from the relevant Department. Having one Minister come in to take a plethora of questions across several Departments does not do us the justice we are entitled to.