Ms Joanna Cullen:

I am happy to confirm that we are very happy with the service. There has been a lot of misinformation, so I can understand why that perception is held by some that the helicopters do not go far enough. The AW189 is physically smaller than the S-92, which CHC has used up to now, but it actually suits the next generation technology. They are more agile helicopters and, in terms of the range, what we sought in the RFT was that the helicopters could cover and operate search and rescue services at a range of 200 nautical miles. The AW189 can go to 220 nautical miles and can stay at that range for 30 minutes. That exceeds what we sought in the RFT.

A key thing to mention in addition to range - this often gets lost in the narrative - is that the new contract is a step change in terms of improvement on the previous contract because for the first time in the Irish State it has the addition of fixed-wing capacity. That is in addition to a brand new fleet of five purpose-built AW189 helicopters, with a sixth on the way. It is actually the newest search and rescue fleet in Europe now. We also have two King Air jets, fixed-wing aircraft, which will be based in Shannon, one providing resilience to the other, so that we will have one fixed-wing aircraft on standby 24-7. That provides top cover, so instead of a helicopter having to stay out at range, which they are not actually designed for, we have the fixed-wing aircraft with cutting edge avionics able to travel out at range and provide domain awareness back to the helicopters. It really takes the search element out of the search and rescue piece for the helicopters and they can head out to the site already equipped with the domain awareness, knowing what is out there, and can relay casualties to wherever they need to go. It is a significant enhancement in safety. As Mr. Spratt said, we are very happy and we are very proud to the contract.