Waterford to keep 24 hour coast guard helicopter service - Kenneally

Waterford is to keep its 24 hour coast guard helicopter rescue service after the Department of Transport backed down in the face of intense pressure, according to local TD Brendan Kenneally. Deputy Kenneally received the positive news this afternoon during a meeting with Minister Dempsey.

There had been fears throughout the South Coast region that the proposed solutions would leave them without a local rescue helicopter during the hours of 9pm to 9am. However after Deputy Kenneally and other Fianna Fáil colleagues pressured the Department on this issue they have decided to continue the 24 hour cover from Waterford.

“I’m delighted that the Department has seen sense and changed their mind over the need for 24 hour helicopter cover,” said Deputy Kenneally. “There were huge deficiencies in what was being proposed and I think if the 12 hour service had been introduced it would have been a disaster for Waterford and the entire South Coast area.”

“As I have been pointing out throughout this whole process you can’t put a price on life, you can’t put a price on safety. Thankfully through the pressure we have been able to put on the Department on this matter they have come around and now the service is secured until 2023 at the earliest.”

“I’d like to thank Minister Dempsey for helping us to secure this result. I’d also like to pay tribute to my Fianna Fáil colleagues on the South Coast, particularly Cllr. Gary Wyse in Waterford, for the work they have done in helping us to turn things around.”

“The public of Waterford and the entire South Coast region, as well all those who have got behind the campaign to save the service also deserve huge praise as without their help in highlighting how essential this service is we would not have been able to reach this conclusion.”

“People often talk about politics being disconnected from the public, but I think this campaign has shown how people can make a very real difference when they come together and push for something passionately and intelligently. The people of the South Coast have saved this service and I hope this shows that there is still something to be said for political action,” Deputy Kenneally concluded.