603 Mr. Hilliard asked the Minister for the Marine the reason for the 30 per cent reduction in subhead B6 of Vote 30 in the 1997 Estimates for the Public Services. [1627/97]

With effect from 1 January 1997 the contract for the provision of the marine SAR helicopter service from Shannon was awarded to Bond Helicopters (Ireland) Ltd., at a cost substantially less than the previous contract.

The resultant savings to the Exchequer are reflected in the 1997 Estimates.