asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware of the necessity of having a helicopter stationed adjacent to the Cork-Kerry seaboard for rescue and mercy operations; and if he will make the necessary arrangements.

When the existing three Air Corps helicopters were acquired it was decided that they should be based at Aeradrom Mhic Easmuinn, Baldonnel. Experience has shown that in order to ensure that one helicopter is continuously available for air/sea rescue work and other emergencies it is necessary to have the present resources of helicopters and crews centralised at one location. It would not, therefore, be feasible to station one of the existing three helicopters at another centre.

The provision of the additional helicopters and other facilities which would be necessary to establish a helicopter service at a second location is not at present contemplated.

Arising out of the Minister's reply, would he not consider it desirable that we should get more helicopters? If we had another helicopter we could station two in Cork and two in Dublin to meet the situation there.

For that sort of situation we would need at least five helicopters.

Then, get five.

To meet the situation envisaged in this question we would need five helicopters.

Is the Minister aware that private companies are operating services with only one helicopter and that they are doing it quite well?

I understand that but they are using a different type of helicopter, a small one, and they have not got the same obligation as we have.

That is mumbo-jumbo. Those helicopters can be used and have been used for certain recue services.

I am not denying that.

Why say that there must not be less than three helicopters in order to operate properly when it has been proved that private firms are operating with one?