Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) is responsible for response to, and coordination of, maritime accidents which require search and rescue and ship casualty operations. The aviation search and rescue activities of the IRCG are carried out by a commercial aviation operator. Currently European aviation safety regulations (Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 and rules and regulations flowing from it) do not apply to aircraft and personnel engaged in coast guard aviation activities. Aviation activities carried out by or/and on behalf of the IRCG are regulated at national level by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) as provided for by the Irish Aviation Authority Act 1993. I understand that, state aircraft and Air Corps personnel may on occasion, when available, provide assistance to the Coast Guard in search and rescue missions. The regulation and oversight of the state aircraft and Air Corps personnel that provide such occasional assistance in relation to civil search and rescue is a matter for the Minister for Defence.

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 209 to 213, inclusive, together.

The current helicopter service contract between the then Minister for Transport and CHC Ireland DAC commenced on 1st July 2012 for a period of 10 years. It contains an option to extend for a period(s) up to a further 3 years. The contract has been extended initially for one year to July 2023 to facilitate the procurement of a new service in accordance with Public Spending Code requirements and a seamless transition from one service to another.

In November 2019 the Department of Transport commenced a process to prepare for the next iteration of the Coast Guard Aviation service. This involved an extensive consultation process with all key State and other SAR stakeholders to consider the scope and demand for the service over the lifetime of a new contract.

An initial report was brought to Government in July last, following approval by a Steering Group of State stakeholders. This report included a strategic assessment, setting out the context for the SAR aviation programme, an organisational overview, and a survey of existing policies and strategies relevant to the programme. It identified the spending objectives of the programme, including existing arrangements and relevant business needs. It also included an appraisal of various service delivery options, including the State assuming full responsibility for the service, either through the Air Corps or a dedicated IRCG Aviation Branch. Both were ruled out for a variety of reasons. The process is now at detailed business case stage which is focused on the remaining viable options. While it is not envisaged that the Air Corps take full responsibility for this service on the basis of that initial assessment, my Department was asked by the Department of Defence to explore the viability of the Air Corps providing some element of the SAR aviation service.

The Air Corps submission that the Deputy refers to was received by my Department last March and is being reviewed as part of the preparation of a detailed business case on the entire IRCG aviation service. This is part of a deliberative process which will lead to a Government decision in due course and on which it would not be appropriate for me to comment.

To be clear, I have no role in the business case development. This is being led by KPMG and a Project Team which includes officials in my Department and independent expertise. The outcome of this will be brought to Government shortly.

All relevant and reliable information on the current status of this project can be found on our dedicated SAR Webpage – Irish Coast Guard: Search and Rescue (SAR) Aviation Project.