Gerard P. Craughwell: Calls for 24-7-365 Search and Rescue Overhaul
Gerard P. Craughwell criticised the state's storm response and search-and-rescue arrangements, calling for a statutory-based emergency management system and continuous 24-7-365 SAR coverage. He said the contractor awarded an 800 million euros contract (Bristos) has failed to provide night-time cover at Shannon and that CHC had to step in to deliver generators to the Ireland Islands.
Gerard P. Craughwell reiterated a previously circulated document arguing for a statutorily-based, overarching emergency management system. He noted that the state remains one of the few in Europe without such a statutory framework and said he would circulate the document again to members of the House.
He outlined acute search-and-rescue gaps after the contract handover to Bristos, saying Shannon base has not been operational after 8 p.m. until late morning and that there is consequently no Atlantic coast cover from 8 p.m. until 8 a.m. He pressed for the State to ensure 24-7-365 search-and-rescue capability.
Craughwell said the Bristos contract — valued at 800 million euros and which took over Shannon in October — does not meet the requirement to carry heavy goods under aircraft, citing a recent incident when generators had to be delivered to the Ireland Islands. He said CHC, the previous contractor in Sligo, stepped in to collect and deliver the generators from Clare.
He described attempts to summon the Secretary General of the Department to the Joint Oireachtas Committee, and reported being told that "Secretary Generals do not answer to the Oireachtas. It is the Minister who answers." He urged the Leader to allow a debate so the issues of search-and-rescue provision and statutory emergency management can be addressed.
Statutory emergency management
Gerard P. Craughwell reiterated a previously circulated document arguing for a statutorily-based, overarching emergency management system. He noted that the state remains one of the few in Europe without such a statutory framework and said he would circulate the document again to members of the House.
Search and rescue operational gaps
He outlined acute search-and-rescue gaps after the contract handover to Bristos, saying Shannon base has not been operational after 8 p.m. until late morning and that there is consequently no Atlantic coast cover from 8 p.m. until 8 a.m. He pressed for the State to ensure 24-7-365 search-and-rescue capability.
Contract performance and CHC intervention
Craughwell said the Bristos contract — valued at 800 million euros and which took over Shannon in October — does not meet the requirement to carry heavy goods under aircraft, citing a recent incident when generators had to be delivered to the Ireland Islands. He said CHC, the previous contractor in Sligo, stepped in to collect and deliver the generators from Clare.
Parliamentary accountability and next steps
He described attempts to summon the Secretary General of the Department to the Joint Oireachtas Committee, and reported being told that "Secretary Generals do not answer to the Oireachtas. It is the Minister who answers." He urged the Leader to allow a debate so the issues of search-and-rescue provision and statutory emergency management can be addressed.
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Transcript
There's been some discussion here this morning, Leader, on the storm and the response to the storm. I published a document some time ago and I circulated to members of the House. I'll circulate it again to members of this House. It's about the requirement for a statutory-based, overarching emergency management system in the state. We're one of the few states in Europe that does not have a statutorily-based emergency management system. The other issue I want to bring up this morning, Leader, is search and rescue. We've been banging this one to death for the last four years and it looks like we're on the way for another four years. We awarded a contract to Bristos for 800 million euros. They took over the Shannon base in October of last year. Shannon is not operational after 8 o'clock in the evening until late in the morning. So there is no cover for the Atlantic coast from Shannon from 8 p.m. until 8 a.m. Recently we had to bring generators to the Ireland Islands. Part of the contract is to be able to carry, under the aircraft, heavy goods that have to be shipped, like generators. Who did the job? CHC, the old contractor in Sligo, came to Clare, next door to Shannon, picked up the generators and brought them to the Ireland Islands. It is simply unbelievable at this stage that the contractor that has been awarded an 800 million euro contract is unable to provide 24-7-365 service in Shannon. They are due to take over Sligo, they were due actually, sorry, they are due on Friday of this week. CHC have just been notified that they will be required to remain in Sligo indefinitely. Now, somebody somewhere has to start answering for this. I attempted in the last Dáil to get the Secretary General of the Department to come before the Joint Oireachtas Committee to deal with this. We were told Secretary Generals do not answer to the Oireachtas. It is the Minister who answers. We need to put an end to this. We need to get search and rescue up and running. The State needs a 24-7-365. So a debate, if you wouldn't mind, please, Leader. Thank you, Kirill. Any Senator? Eileen? Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.