Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Fixed-wing aircraft. If a helicopter is travelling over a certain distance, the natural curve of the earth means it will lose radio communication so a rebroadcast station will be needed between the helicopter and land. For this reason, top cover goes up and has line of sight with Ireland, if you like. That is the function and the Air Corps used to fulfil that. I agree with the Minister that the Air Corps itself would say today it is not ready to do that.