P J Sheehan (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 476: To ask the Minister for Defence the reasons that the Air Corps will not land in Bantry Hospital to undertake air ambulance missions; if the same reasons are preventing air sea rescue helicopters from landing in the hospital; the measures that will have to taken before this service can be restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23855/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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A Service Level Agreement between my Department and the Department of Health & Children for the provision of an Air Ambulance Service by the Air Corps was signed in September 2005. This Service Level Agreement was prepared by my Department and the Department of Health & Children in consultation with the Health Services Executive and the Defence Forces including the Air Corps, who are all signatories to the Agreement. Under the terms of the Service Level Agreement, the Air Corps provide aircraft and flying crews. The provision of the Service is dependent on the availability of a suitable aircraft, the availability of flying crews, and the suitability of weather conditions.

I am advised that Air Corps helicopters involved in air ambulance operations have used the helipad at Bantry Hospital. However, the area surrounding the helipad is somewhat confined and in adverse weather conditions it is preferable for safety reasons to conduct the landing and take-off from Bantry Airfield, one kilometre distant. The provision of maritime Search & Rescue services within the Irish Search and Rescue Region is a matter for the Irish Coast Guard, under the aegis of the Department of Transport. I am not in a position to comment on the operational capabilities of the Irish Coast Guard.