Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The crash of Rescue 116 left the Department exposed as a Department that was unable to oversee the search and rescue system in Ireland. As my colleague has pointed out, 80% of the crew of one base is about to be withdrawn for training with Bristow Ireland. This means that this base must close. I am asking the Minister whether he is prepared to call in the Irish Aviation Authority immediately. There is no aviator among the Minister of State's staff. Any team that is put together by the Department to oversee this does not contain aviators. Will the Minister of State call in the Irish Aviation Authority immediately and ask it to look at the transfer and the methodology that is being used by Bristow Ireland? Lives will be lost. We have already lost four very brave people.