Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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1627. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an approach has been made by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration regarding the Irish Coast Guard regarding search and rescue requirements in Irish coastal waters when the US resumes manned space missions in the future in view of the fact that their abort area for future missions is within 400 km of the coast of Ireland, within the range of the modern Sikorsky helicopter in the fleet; if any such co-operation would require additional costs and resources for the Irish Coast Guard; if the US would be financially contributing towards search and rescue requirements, should be they be needed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37341/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States of America have been in contact this year with the Irish Coast Guard. This contact was initiated by NASA with a view to ascertaining the Search and Rescue capabilities available in Ireland's Search and Rescue Region.  This is a standard approach from organisations such as NASA as they need to factor in these considerations into their operations planning and in particular in the event of a launch failure which may fall within the Irish area of responsibility.

It is not envisaged that any new systems or equipment will need to be made available to meet any emergencies arising in respect of NASA missions and neither is it envisaged that the State will incur any additional  costs in that regard. The operational cost to the State of responding to any vessels, craft, airplanes or persons in distress at sea is not a charge that is passed on to those requiring assistance. This is common practice worldwide in maritime search and rescue.