Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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321. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has considered the potential of the Air Corps to participate in the search and rescue operations; if this has been factored into future plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32858/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Air Corps currently provide support to the Irish Coast Guard in maritime Search and Rescue operations on an “as available” basis. A Service Level Agreement is in place setting out their roles and responsibilities in this regard. I have no plans to change this current position.

As regards their role in a future service, a process has commenced to consider options for the next generation SAR aviation contract. The Department of Defence and the Air Corps are fully engaged in these deliberations as key stakeholders in this process including as members of a Steering Group for the procurement of the new service which is chaired by the Director of the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG). This process is on-going and the decisions on the scope, nature and procurement of the next service will ultimately be a matter for Government.