Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senators for their contributions. I always listen carefully to concerns and the matters raised will be carefully considered by my Department during the transition. We can all agree that the provision of an effective maritime search and rescue service is critical to Ireland as an island nation with a strong maritime sector. The sector depends on the reliability and professionalism of the Irish Coast Guard and all its component parts, including the Coast Guard aviation service, and our citizens rely on its support for medical emergencies.

To deliver on its responsibilities, a range of assets are available to the Coast Guard, of which the fleet of Coast Guard helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft is a crucial component enabling timely responses to time-critical and life-at-risk situations, as well as maritime environmental monitoring. I strongly believe that this new contract will deliver a step change in the capability and capacity of the Coast Guard to fulfil its responsibility for the provision of Irish maritime search and rescue services.

The Government welcomed the outcome of a new procurement process and has approved the awarding to Bristow Ireland. All relevant stakeholders are now strongly encouraged to work in partnership over the coming period to deliver a seamless and orderly transition between the old and new contracts. There will always be issues and challenges in introducing change and new services. I assure the House that there is regular and ongoing engagement between my Department, the incumbent contractor and the new service provider regarding these challenges. Progress with transition planning and implementation is being actively monitored formally and frequently by my Department. My Department will continue to monitor and review any potential risks emerging during the transition and will also review any challenges, mitigations or rectifications proposed by either the current or incoming provider. I assure the House that the overarching priority during the transition phase is to ensure the uninterrupted provision of search and rescue, air medical support and other essential State services by the Irish Coast Guard.