He's giving assurances to Senator Gabrielle McFadden.
The Minister of State for Defence is giving an unequivocal guarantee regarding the Air Ambulance will remain in the midlands.
Paul Kehoe was replying to a question by Westmeath Senator Gab McFadden following the announcement that the service is being stood down for four days per month until February, due to a shortage of pilots
A charity-funded air ambulance service will provide a spare aircraft to replace the stood-down service over the 16 days.
Minister Kehoe says new pilots are will be trained over the coming months to ensure there will be cover in the future:
But Senator McFadden says it's disappointing that we must rely on a helicopter provided by charity in this day and age.
Minister Paul Kehoe disagrees - he believes the community element in the service is vital:
Pilot Programme For Parents Of Neurodivergent Children Launches In Laois
Midlands Simon Community Receives Major Funding
Emergency Services Call For Safety This Halloween
Midlands Homelessness Figures Continue To Rise
Westmeath Woman Wins Over €45k in Telly Bingo
Offaly Comedian Urges Men To Check For Testicular Cancer
Tánaiste Reviews Infantry Battalion In Westmeath Ahead Of Lebanon Deployment
Laois TD ‘Couldn’t Stomach’ Taoiseach’s Fine Gael Backing
Disruption On Midlands Train Services Expected This Weekend
Man Escapes Injury After Car Fire In Westmeath
Midlands Soldiers Taking Part In Latest Deployment To Lebanon
Popular Laois Forest Named In Coillte Top 20
Laois Author Recounts First Meeting With F1 Legend Eddie Jordan
Truck Driver Jailed For Five Years Over €2.8m Cocaine Haul
ESB Networks Invests €6.5m In Laois Training Centre
Offaly GAA Calls For End To Allianz Sponsorship
IFA Concerned Over Rushed Safeguard Approval For Mercosur
Westmeath Refuge Centres Step Up Support For Women And Children
Frightfully Fun Events Taking Place In The Midlands This Halloween
Social Finance Boosts Westmeath Boat Club