Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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51. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 360 of 3 November 2020, if the report into Rescue 116 will be published prior to the renewal of the search and rescue contract in order that failings or problems within a company (details supplied) or the Coast Guard which come to light through the compiling of the report are highlighted and addressed before a new contract is agreed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37314/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy is aware, the draft Final Report of the investigation into the accident involving Rescue 116 at Black Rock, Co Mayo on 14 March 2017 is the subject of a re-examination by a Review Board.  The Review Board has been established in line with Regulation 16 of Air Navigation (Notification and Investigation of Accidents, Serious Incidents and Incidents) Regulations 2009 (SI 460 of 2009).  

The timeframe for the Review Board to carry out the re-examination is a matter for the Chairperson to determine.  As I have previously advised the Deputy, the 2009 Regulations provide that on completion of the re-examination the Chairperson shall make a report to me.  That report should contain a summary of the proceedings of the re-examination hearing and either confirm, dismiss or vary, in whole or part, those findings and conclusions of the draft Final Report which were the subject of the re-examination.  I have not yet received a report from the Chairperson. 

Any lessons and recommendations arising from the Final Report will be acted upon as appropriate. The formal procurement process for the new service will be activated following a detailed business case which is currently being prepared for Government. The procurement process itself is expected to take up to 18 months, following which Government will be required to approve the contract award.