Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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31. To ask the Minister for Defence the circumstances surrounding the delay in involvement by the Naval Service in a recent search in County Mayo which had been requested by An Garda Síochána (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34500/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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On the afternoon of Tuesday, 15 September last the Naval Service received an Aid to the Civil Power request from An Garda Síochána for assistance in the search for the missing person in question. The Naval Service was unable to respond immediately due to the unavailability of divers at the time of the request. However, An Garda Síochána was advised that the Naval Service would keep the matter under review and on the morning of Thursday, 17 September, a diving team was dispatched to the area. The team supported the search from the afternoon of 17 September until it was stood down on 22 September in consultation with An Garda Síochána and the Irish Coast Guard. I should clarify that the primary responder for search and rescue in the State is the Irish Coast Guard. The primary role of the Naval Service Diving Section is to support Naval and other Defence Forces operations. However, I would like to assure the Deputy that the Naval Service makes every effort to deploy to assist in maritime search operations following a request from the Irish Coast Guard or from An Garda Síochána.

Finally, on my own behalf and on behalf of my Government colleagues, I wish to express our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the deceased in these most tragic circumstances.