Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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558. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the various responsibility of both the Irish Coast Guard and the Irish Aviation Authority in relation to aircraft crashes in marine zones with particular reference to the responsibility of the service of warrants. [47857/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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Under the National Maritime SAR Framework which is legally underpined by various international and national legal obligations in relation to safety at sea, the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) is responsible for carrying out search and rescue (SAR) in the context of an aircraft accident in a marine zone within the Irish Search and Rescue Region.

The location of the accident is determined by the Irish Aviation Authority’s Air Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) who track aircraft in distress in compliance with their international and national legal obligations. The transfer of co-ordination of such an incident to IRCG’s Marine Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) occurs when the location is confirmed to be offshore or coastal. In carrying out its responsibilities, the MRCC coordinates various SAR assets available to it in consultation with a variety of state and voluntary entities. The transfer of responsibilities from the ARCC to MRCC is managed on the basis of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under the National SAR Framework. The coordination of participants in the search and rescue operation is managed on the basis of standard operating procedures and various MoUs with the entities involved, as specified in the National SAR Framework.

Once the search and rescue has been completed, the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) will commence its investigation of the accident under International Convention, EU Regulation and national legislation. These obligations require it to conduct investigations into aviation accidents and serious incidents that occur in the state and its territorial waters, regardless of registration origin. Outside of territorial waters (12 miles) and in international waters, the AAIU is obligated to conduct investigations into aviation accidents and serious incidents that occur to Irish registered aircraft. With regard to occurrences to foreign registered aircraft, outside of Irish territorial waters but close to Ireland, the investigation will be completed by the state of registry and support will be provided by the AAIU if so sought by the state of registry.