The new contract for air search and rescue services is to be tendered in the next 12 to 18 months. It is currently serviced by a ten-year contract with CHC which includes provision of patient transfers from University Hospital Waterford. The contract is estimated to cost between €70 million and €80 million per annum, €700 million to €800 million over the ten-year lifespan. CHC is a private company and many more will be interested in this tender.

Can we not consider using our Defence Forces and Air Corps to deliver most of this service? At the end of the contract, the State would then own the helicopter and monitoring assets. We do not employ private security firms to police our streets. Instead, we invest in the Garda Síochána and our public services. How much of this €700 million to €800 million will we allow to bypass investment in our State rescue and Air Corps services?

Again, I am uncomfortable dealing with procurement issues generally on the floor of the House. Procurement processes should be independent of the House.

I take the Deputy's more general point on the State investing more in its own capacity in air rescue, the Coast Guard, our Defence Forces and the Air Corps. Some progress is being made in terms of recruitment to the Air Corps. I would be happy to see a greater investment. The commission that will be established shortly to examine the future of our Defence Forces will take that issue under its wings.