Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 66: To ask the Minister for Defence the role he envisages for the Air Corps regarding the Search and Rescue Helicopter Service. [15604/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Irish Coast Guard has overall responsibility for the provision of Search and Rescue, (SAR) services within the Irish Search and Rescue region. In accordance with the roles assigned to them by Government in the White Paper on Defence, the Defence Forces are committed to providing support to the civil authorities including in relation to Search and Rescue. In this regard, the Air Corps provide support to the Coast Guard as the need arises and within its available capability.

The Air Corps was withdrawn from Maritime SAR in 2004 following operational difficulties in the provision of a consistent and satisfactory level of service. The current Air Corps helicopter assets are not configured for maritime search and rescue nor does it have pilots or winchmen with the required training and experience to support such operations. There are no plans to restore the Air Corps Maritime SAR capacity, which would also require very significant investment in equipment and training over many years before it could be operational again.

The Air Corps has a 24/7 general helicopter capability which is available in support of government approved missions. Its roles include support to the Garda Síochána, air ambulance, transport roles in support of civil authorities and response to emergencies and natural disasters on land. The Air Corps has a range of Service Level Agreements with State bodies and agencies including the Coast Guard. The SLA which was signed in December, 2008 sets out the SAR assistance that the Air Corps provides to the Coast Guard. The provision of assistance during mountain rescue operations and fixed wing top cover by the Air Corps Casa aircraft to Coast Guard helicopters are included in this agreement. The Air Corps has offered assistance to the Coast Guard in their deliberations on the new SAR helicopter contract.

Question No. 67 answered with Question No. 56.