26 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Defence his views on whether private companies or the Air Corps should staff the marine rescue service in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4799/98]

30 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Defence the reason the Air Corps is not in a position to supply all the pilots required for the Department of Marine Sikorski helicopter which will be based at Dublin airport; the steps, if any, he is taking to deal with the shortage of pilots in the Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4813/98]

35 Mr. L. Burke asked the Minister for Defence the steps, if any, he will take to ensure that the Air Corps has enough personnel to staff marine rescue services in this country; and the current position on the development of the east coast rescue service. [4798/98]

55 Mr. McGahon asked the Minister for Defence the reason the Air Corps is not in a position to supply all the pilots required for the Department of Marine Sikorski helicopter which will be based at Dublin airport; the steps, if any, he is taking to deal with the shortage of pilots in the Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4811/98]

111 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Defence the reason the Air Corps is not in a position to supply all the pilots required for the Department of Marine Sikorski helicopter which will be based at Dublin airport; the steps, if any, he is taking to deal with the shortage of pilots in the Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4812/98]

183 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the steps, if any, he will take to ensure that the Air Corps has enough personnel to staff marine rescue services in this country; and the position on the development of the east coast rescue service. [5218/98]

184 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence his views on whether private companies or the Air Corps should staff the marine rescue service in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5219/98]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 26, 30, 35, 55, 111, 183 and 184 together.

The Irish marine emergency service — IMES — of the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources has overall responsibility for the provision of a marine search and rescue service in this country. The arrangements necessary for the provision of the service are, therefore, a matter for that Department.

At present, search and rescue coverage on the east coast is provided by the Air Corps from Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel and on the north west coast from Finner, County Donegal, in addition to the civilian operated search and rescue service being provided at Shannon. As part of an ongoing programme of development of search and rescue services in this country, a civilian operated medium-load carrying search and rescue helicopter is to be provided on the east coast with effect from 1 July 1998. The service will operate on a temporary basis from Dublin Airport, but will be located at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel once certain legal difficulties concerning the question of the basing of a civil operation at a military airbase have been resolved. The high incidence of retirement of Air Corps flying officers in recent years has meant the Air Corps is currently not in a position to provide pilots for this service.

In tandem with the commencement of this service on the east coast, the search and rescue service currently provided by the Air Corps at Baldonnel will be relocated to the south east coast. This service, which will initially be restricted to daylight hours, utilising an Alouette helicopter, will be based in Waterford. It is intended to upgrade this service to a 24 hour one using a Dauphin helicopter at the earliest possible date. The service commitment scheme for Air Corps pilots introduced by my Department last year, with the ongoing training of pilots and the yearly recruitment of Air Corps cadets, is intended to ensure a continuing supply of well trained pilots for the Air Corps.