asked the Minister for Defence if he will allocate one of the new Dauphin helicopters to be permanently based at Finner Camp, County Donegal, so as to provide a service for the islands off the west coast and a search and rescue service during emergencies at sea.

(Limerick West): Because of the extensive back up services required to maintain a helicopter on permanent standby it would not be possible in present circumstances to locate a helicopter for rescue purposes at a place other than Casement Aerodrome.

Three of the five Dauphin helicopters are designated to search and rescue and when these become fully operational in early 1988, they should considerably improve operational flexibility in so far as rescue operations are concerned, particularly as these helicopters will have a night flying capability.

Has an initial assessment been carried out of the facilities which would be required at Finner Camp and the estimated costs of these extra facilities? Would the Minister not agree that in the case of sea rescue, time is a crucial element? Over the last week or two, two people crossing from Tory Island to the mainland were saved in the nick of time. In view of the fact that it takes such a long time to fly from Baldonnel to the north west, does the Minister agree that there is some urgency in having such a facility based at Finner Camp?

(Limerick West): There is no point in locating an all weather helicopter anywhere except at an all weather airport, otherwise the aircraft could be grounded when it is needed. Furthermore, it is not simply a question of locating a helicopter at a particular place, we would also have to provide a back-up service which would involve two other helicopters on stand-by.

Could it be part of a decentralisation programme to allocate helicopters to different parts of the country?

(Limerick West): I would not agree.

Will the Minister confirm that the Taoiseach's proposal before the general election to base one of the new helicopters in Galway and a second one in Donegal has now been abandoned because it would cost £1.6 million per annum?

(Limerick West): The question referred to Finner Camp, County Donegal.

Does the Minister agree that the Chief of Staff advised him that the ongoing maintenance cost of siting an operation in Finner Camp would be not less than £800,00 per annum?

(Limerick West): I do not agree.

Is the Minister saying that the assessment of costs by the Chief of Staff which was made available to the previous Government was wrong?

(Limerick West): No, I do not agree. My predecessor replied to a similar question in the same manner as I have outlined.

With whom does the Minister agree?

(Limerick West): That is a matter for me.

Could the Minister give his personal assessment of the cost involved?

(Limerick West): I have already given my personal view in regard to this matter.

Would the cost be close to £1 million?

That is a separate question.

(Limerick West): I do not have that information.

In view of the many requests made by a number of associations connected with the fishing and seafaring industries, will the Minister and the Government have another look at this urgent request?

(Limerick West): I will consider the request.