Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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157. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in light of the decision to transfer the contract for provision of the Irish Coast Guard helicopter service, when he expects the service at Waterford Airport to be transferred; if the search and rescue helicopter service at Waterford will remain operational 24/7 as at present; if all current service personnel will be retained as part of the transfer to the new operator; the plan that is in place to monitor and review the performance of the new operator; if his Department has initiated any engagement between service personnel and the new operator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6986/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The decision to award the contract to Bristow Ireland Limited (BIL) for the next Coast Guard Search & Rescue Aviation Service contract was approved by the Government in mid-2023 following a comprehensive public procurement process which was undertaken fully in accordance with all national and EU procurement rules. During the 2-year transition phase, the overarching priority remains safe and effective transition without interruption to this essential service.

The new Coast Guard aviation contract provides for the operation of four helicopter bases at Waterford, Shannon, Sligo and Dublin. Contract transition commenced at Shannon in December 2024 to be followed by Sligo on 30th April. CHC, the outgoing contractor and Bristow, the incoming contractor, are actively engaged in agreeing dates for transfer of services in Waterford and Dublin.

The contract provides for the delivery of 24/7 services from all four bases. Bristow will operate a fleet of six helicopters to enable 24/7 delivery of service from each of the four bases including Waterford.

From contract inception, Bristow as the incoming contractor has actively engaged with the three Trade Unions FORSA, UNITE and IALPA. This engagement is supported by local staff engagements in advance of individual base transition. The active engagement with trade unions is the forum through which all staff transfer matters are addressed.

Contract performance from an operational and contractual perspective is carefully managed by daily operational tracking, contract management and independent audits conducted by specialist aviation advisers contracted by my Department.

The overarching priority is safe and effective transition without interruption of services. Where my Department recognises the need to revise transition dates to ensure overall safety, it will do so without hesitation and expects full cooperation of both contractors to facilitate revised transition timelines. The Department will not allow risks to be taken in a rush to meet contractual deadlines. Safety of crew is the overarching priority.

Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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158. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in light of the decision to transfer the contract for provision of the Irish Coast Guard helicopter service, if he is aware of concerns regarding reduced utility of the helicopters proposed for use by the new contractor; if he is assured that there will be no decrease is service capability arising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6987/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The decision to award the contract to Bristow Ireland Limited (BIL) for the next Coast Guard Search & Rescue Aviation Service contract was approved by the Government in mid-2023 following a comprehensive public procurement process which was undertaken fully in accordance with all national and EU procurement rules. During the 2-year transition phase, the overarching priority remains safe and effective transition without interruption to this essential service.

The new Coast Guard aviation contract provides for a fleet of six AW 189 helicopters to enable delivery of 24/7 services from four bases, i.e. Waterford, Sligo, Shannon and Dublin. For the first time the Coast Guard service will include a Fixed Wing element to be located at Shannon. The procurement process set out the operating criteria for any proposed helicopters. These criteria were based on Coast Guard operational requirements and operational experience.

The new helicopters fully meet the operational requirements. The AW 189 is an internationally well proven SAR helicopter, including operating in environments similar to the Coast Guards area of operations, including coastal inland and offshore. This helicopter type is fully capable of meeting Coast Guard expectations in terms of safely delivering the range of SAR, aeromedical support and environmental monitoring roles assigned to the Coast Guard.

The number of aircraft being utilised under the new contract supports a significant enhancement of the Coast Guard's capacity and capability to undertake search & rescue and other missions.

Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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159. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in light of the decision to transfer the contract for provision of the Irish Coast Guard helicopter service, the plans in place to utilise a number of fixed wing aircraft as part of the search and rescue capability; if he will provide details of the aircraft, the purpose and location of their deployment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6988/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The decision to award the contract to Bristow Ireland Limited (BIL) for the next Coast Guard Search & Rescue Aviation Service contract was approved by the Government in mid-2023 following a comprehensive public procurement process which was undertaken fully in accordance with all national and EU procurement rules.

During the 2-year transition phase, the overarching priority remains safe and effective transition without interruption to this essential service.

The new Coast Guard helicopter service contract will, for the first time, provide for a fixed wing aircraft element. This service will be located in Shannon and will have one aircraft on duty, day and night. The service will be delivered by a fleet of two King Air 200 aircraft.

The fixed wing aircraft enhances the Coast Guards ability to conduct Search and Rescue and in addition to search and locate capability. The aircraft will also be utilised to conduct environmental monitoring including investigation of pollution reports and will have a capacity to transport three walk on patients such as for emergency transfer for medical treatment abroad.