Gerard Craughwell (Independent)

The Leas-Chathaoirleach and the Acting Leader will know that I have spent the best part of five years - in fact, longer, if I think about it - examining search and rescue. They will also know that the contract that has been awarded is an absolute disaster. They will know further that the Irish Air Corps put forward a 480 page submission to take one base and possibly two. This would have given search and rescue helicopter services resilience they did not have up until that time. Relying on a single aircraft and a single contractor means at any time that entire service can be taken out of service. I have two letters released to me under freedom of information. In my view, there was a conspiracy between two Departments to ensure the Air Corps would not get any part of the search and rescue contract. More importantly, on 23 February, it was decided that the Air Corps should recuse itself from any hand, act or part in that contract. The only place we have aviators qualified to speak on such things as helicopter search and rescue is the Irish Air Corps. It was forced to recuse itself because it was allegedly tendering for part of the contract. The Air Corps does not tender for part of a contract; it is assigned part of the contract. A total of €800 million of our taxpayers' money has been siphoned off to cover Bristow Ireland's contract for the next ten years. It was due to take over in July of this year. It will now not be ready to take over until 2026. There has to be a full inquiry into everything that took place with respect to this contract. We have to see the marking scheme that was awarded to the two tendering bodies, CHC Ireland and Bristow Ireland. We have to see exactly who advised the Department because the Department does not have an aviator, and neither does the Irish Coast Guard, both of which were told following the crash of Rescue 116 that they should have an aviator on staff. The only qualified aviators there were in the country to assist them with this contract was the Irish Air Corps, and it was told it had to recuse itself because it had an interest. Of course it has an interest. It is the single body that should have an interest in this country.

Yesterday, I spoke about the fact we are losing the air traffic controllers. The Government jet will finish up in Knock or in Shannon. I know the Leas-Chathaoirleach would be delighted to have it in Shannon - she will be able to fly up and down - but it is not good business. We are coming up to our Presidency of the European Union. Baldonnel aerodrome will be vital as Prime Ministers, Heads of State and ministers fly into this country during our Presidency. Why are we losing air traffic controllers? In 2021, they knew they were going and they did sweet damn all about it. The Department of public expenditure and reform needs to be shut down. It is an impediment to the proper running of this State.