Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 60: To ask the Minister for Defence if there has been any consultation with other Departments with a view to involving Air Corps helicopters in search and rescue operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23448/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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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 provides 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The Air Corps was withdrawn from Maritime SAR in 2004 following operational difficulties in the provision of a consistent and satisfactory level of service.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 Department of Transport at the outset of its deliberative process into the purchase of new SAR helicopters invited the Department of Defence to nominate a person to the Future Helicopter Study Group to ensure that the widest consideration be given to the matter. A departmental official to represent departmental policy and an Air Corps Officer to advise on technical and operational matters were nominated by the Department of Defence. The current Air Corps helicopter assets are not configured for maritime search and rescue nor does the Air Corps have pilots or winchmen with the required training and experience to support such operations.

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.

There are no plans to restore the Air Corps Maritime SAR capacity; to do so would require very significant investment in equipment and training over many years before it could be operational again.