Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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289. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the nationality of the pilot recently hired in the Irish Coast Guard; the experience level of the pilot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10309/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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As I  stated in my earlier reply to the Deputy, CHC Ireland is contracted to my Department to provide a Search and Rescue helicopter service to the Irish Coast Guard.   

Under the terms of the contract, CHC has sole responsibility for employment, certification and licensing of all personnel retained for the purposes of providing the services under the contract. There are provisions in the contract which address CHC's commitments in respect of  standards and crew training  and the company adheres to a policy of selecting the most suitably qualified personnel for each specialised post.   Additionally, CHC  is required to adhere to all relevant international aviation standards as overseen by the Irish Aviation Authority.