Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent)
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35. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the deadline provisions for the re-tendering of air sea rescue services in Ireland; if he has had engagement with the Department of Defence regarding its possible interest or inclusion to a tender proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32092/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Department of Transport /Irish Coast Guard has begun a procurement process with the objective of providing a Search and Rescue (SAR) Aviation service when the current contract ends. The current contract with CHCI is in place since 2012 for 10 years with an option to extend for a period(s) up to 2025. The existing contract was extended earlier this year for one year to 2023.  It can be further extended for periods up to 2025 depending on procurement process and the transition period required between the existing and a new contract.

A Steering Group chaired by the Director of the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) has been set up to manage the project with all relevant state entities represented.  The Department of Defence and the Air Corps are represented on the Steering Group for the procurement of the new service and are fully engaged in deliberations as key stakeholders in the development of the SAR service. In a recent PQ, my colleague the Minister for Defence, Simon Coveney, T.D.  confirmed that there were no plans to subsume the air rescue services provided by the Irish Coast Guard into the roles and responsibilities of the Defence Organisation.