Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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61. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the plans that are in place to remove the Irish Coast Guard all weather search and rescue helicopter from Waterford; the reason for this proposal; if he will ensure that the Irish Coast Guard search and rescue helicopter will be retained in Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24765/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I am not aware of any plans to remove or relocate the CHC base from Waterford Airport. The contractual relationship in relation to this base is between CHC and Waterford Airport. The Department’s contract for a SAR helicopter service is with CHC which includes bases located in Dublin, Shannon, Sligo and Waterford airports. This is a 10 year contract which commenced in 2012 which has already been extended for 1 year and may be extended for a further 2 years. No tender has issued for a successor to this contract but a process has commenced in relation to this. Full details are available on a dedicated webpage on Gov.ie – located