Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

225. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the Government agency or Department responsible for the oversight of search and rescue services. [48608/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In terms of ensuring the safety of Irish Coast Guard volunteers, the Irish Coast Guard, which is a Division of my Department, ensures the volunteer units are appropriately equipped and trained to carry out the type of activities for which they may be tasked. The Coast Guard carry out regular audits to determine operational readiness.

As regards the Irish Coast Guard's Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopter service, the Irish Aviation Authority issues a national SAR Approval to CHCI DAC, who are the operator contracted by the Irish Coast Guard to deliver this service. Through this practice, there is a system in place to validate the suitability of the CHCI SAR helicopters, crew, training and operational standards for SAR operations.