John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 72: To ask the Minister for Transport the reason he has decided to downgrade Waterford search and rescue helicopter services to a 12 hour service; the impact this will have in an emergency situation; the savings that are being made from this; if he will provide details of the new contract for 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12883/10]

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 97: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will review his plans to downgrade the coast guard and marine search and rescue helicopter service for the south east region; the examination that has been carried out on the safety implications for the entire south east coast if his plans to downgrade this critical service go ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12791/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 97 together.

There has been much ill informed comment about the proposed new SAR contract. Because we are in the "standstill" period of the procurement process and about to commence contract negotiations I am somewhat constrained by what I can say.

However I can make the following points in response to some comments made. 1. The new contract has been presented as a "cutback" in services; nothing could be further from the truth. The new contract will cost significantly more on an annual basis than the current contract because of the improved services to be provided. 2. The Government has just approved a massive half a billion euro investment in maritime search and rescue capability on the island. The proposed contract represents a dramatic increase in funding for SAR helicopter services in Ireland from approximately €30 million to €50 million per annum. This is an increase, in difficult circumstances, of €20 million a year in this service alone.

The new contract represents a stepped improvement in the capacity, range, speed and capability of Ireland's SAR service.