The Tánaiste says he expects that four bases will be retained for rescue helicopter services across the country.
There are fears that Waterford may lose its base for Rescue 117, with a tender set to be put out for the service.
European regulations mean that whatever company gets the tender will be in a position to relocate bases at their own discretion.
However, speaking in the Dáil today, Leo Varadkar said he was confident the four bases would remain the same.
"We would anticipate would be that there would continue to be four bases and that they would be the same four bases in Waterford, Sligo, Cork and Dublin,
"But there is a contractual process underway and it does have to follow a certain procedure, but I hope that can give people some reassurance that the Government is happy with the service as it is at the moment and wouldn't like to see it diminished."
