Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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683. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has considered a meaningful role for Sligo Airport in relation to the delivery of further emergency services for the west and north west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26985/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Sligo Airport plays an important and meaningful role in Ireland's marine emergency services as it is one of four helicopter bases for the Irish Coast Guard, which is part of my Department. CHC Ireland Limited are under a long-term contract to provide search and rescue services to my Department. As part of this, it is required to provide a helicopter base at Sligo, as well as at Dublin, Waterford and Shannon. This contract was signed in July 2010 and came into force in July 2012. The   cost of the contract is €63 million per annum. I am advised by my officials that the contract is operating satisfactorily and there are no plans to seek to provide any additional marine emergency services beyond what is provided in this contract.