New helicopter should be based at Finner given 50 minute flying time from Athlone to Inishowen
One of four new helicopters purchased by the Government for air ambulance cover should be based in Donegal given the size of the county, the Seanad has been told.
Fine Gael Senator Manus Boyle called for one of the machines to be located at Finner Camp in Bundoran.
“For ten years or more I have been calling for enhanced services for the National Ambulance Service in Donegal. Before I came here, I was also lobbying Ministers for an air ambulance to enhance the National Ambulance Service in Donegal.
"I am asking for one of the helicopters to be based in Finner Camp in County Donegal. Geographically, Donegal is such a big county. If a helicopter comes from Athlone to Gleann Cholm Cille or Inishowen, the approximate flying time is 50 minutes.
"Finner Camp is geographically well placed to cover a large county like Donegal and nearby counties,” he said.
Senator Boyle said a helicopter at Finner would be able to service the western counties of the North.
"We also have a cross-Border option there if needed. Time is crucial when people get a stroke or heart attack or if there is a serious car accident,” said the Fine Gael representative.
He said the Government should look at Donegal as a special case.
"We are getting four helicopters, and why not deploy one in Donegal? It would be a game-changer for us up there,” he remarked.
The Fine Gael Leader of the Seanad Seán Kyne said the idea made sense.
"Donegal is a huge county geographically and has areas where population is sparse, as well as urban areas. It would be of huge benefit,” he declared.