Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1111: To ask the Minister for Defence if the LE Eithne is or has been equipped with a helicopter to assist with rescue operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1623/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Naval Service provides the maritime element of the Defence Forces and has a general responsibility to meet contingent and actual maritime Defence requirements. The main day-to-day role of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union. However, as the need arises, Naval Service vessels may be deployed to other duties such as search and rescue, aid to the civil power, drug interdiction operations and assistance with pollution control.

The Irish Coast Guard has overall responsibility for the provision of maritime Search and Rescue services within the Irish Search and Rescue region. In accordance with the roles assigned to them by Government in the White Paper on Defence, the Defence Forces are committed to providing support to the civil authorities including in relation to Search and Rescue. In this regard, the Naval Service and Air Corps provide support to the Coast Guard as the need arises and within their available capability. LE Eithne, as with the other ships in the fleet, is tasked with such support as the need arises.

LE Eithne was designed to operate helicopters in order to enhance the ship's operational capabilities. The chosen helicopter for the vessel was the Air Corps Dauphin, and helicopter capabilities of the LE Eithne were stood down on the withdrawal from service of the Dauphin helicopters in 2006. The ship is no longer involved in helicopter operations in its day to day roles.