asked the Minister for Defence if the reason he is not relocating the Dauphin helicopters at Shannon for search and rescue purposes is due to the shortage of Air Corps pilots and technicians; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

12.

asked the Minister for Defence if a final decision has been made to base a rescue helicopter flight on the west coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

(Limerick West): I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 12 together.

The question of safety at sea is primarily a matter for the Minister for the Marine. The deployment of helicopters for search and rescue purposes is only one part of the overall safety strategy.

The ongoing review of search and rescue facilities encompasses the optimum deployment of existing resources, including Air Corps helicopters. No final decisions have yet been made.

I would like to avail of this opportunity to compliment the Air Corps on the large number of search and rescue missions carried out by them recently, including night flying missions, and the missions involved with the vessel Yarrawonga, which resulted in the safe removal of the vessel from Irish waters.

Is the Minister convinced of the importance of relocating the Dauphin helicopters in the west of Ireland?

(Limerick West): There are a number of alternatives. That is one of the options.

Is the Minister in favour of it?

(Limerick West): The matter is under review and I am hoping that a decision will be made very shortly. The Deputy's party when in Government had it under review for four and a half years and did nothing about it.

We bought the Dauphins. Can the Minister confirm newspaper reports that the Air Corps are themselves unable to service such a relocation because so many of their staff, particularly technicians and pilots, have left the service due to low pay and poor conditions?

There are questions appertaining to that matter later.

(Limerick West): That is not correct. The matter is under review and a number of options are under discussion by my Department and the Department of the Marine. As soon as a solution is decided upon I will make it known to the Deputy.

Has the Minister any objection in principle to private helicopters being employed to provide sea and air rescue services?

(Limerick West): It is another option under review.

In other words, we are not getting it.