John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 178: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if Ireland will be without a medically equipped helicopter that can fly in bad weather for most of 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35416/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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My Department has had detailed discussions with the Department of Defence regarding the future provision of air ambulance services by the Air Corps. Arising from these discussions, a detailed service level agreement has recently been prepared and signed. The agreement sets out the range services to be provided by the Air Corps, specifically: inter-hospital transfer for spinal and serious injury and illness; air transport of neonates requiring immediate medical intervention in Ireland; air transport of patients requiring emergency organ transplant in the UK; air transport of organ harvest teams within Ireland; and air transport of patients from offshore islands to mainland hospitals where the coast guard service is not available.

The new fleet replacement programme currently being put in place by the Air Corps will have a specific air ambulance capability and the new fleet will have a far greater flying capacity, which will augment the current service. The flying capability of the helicopter fleet in adverse weather conditions is a matter for the Air Corps to determine.