Joe Cooney (Clare, Fine Gael)
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479. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a timeline for an aviation contract transition (details supplied); If he will outline how the company will provide helicopter emergency medical support using helicopters that are not licensed to carry stretchers; how it will provide night-time search and rescue without a searchlight; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20237/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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My overarching priority is the safe and effective transition of the aviation contract without interruption to service. The two contracted operators, CHCI and BIL are contractually obliged to provide sufficient capacity, expertise and resources to maintain safe search and rescue operations on a 24/7 basis across all areas of the country throughout this process.

Following the transition of the Shannon base, I welcome a recent agreement reached by CHC Ireland and Bristow Ireland Limited on an updated timeline at no extra cost to the exchequer, for the phased transition of the other three Irish Coast Guard Search and Rescue (SAR) Helicopter bases at Dublin, Sligo, and Waterford. My Department has consistently stated that where it recognises the need to revise transition dates to ensure overall safety, this will be done without hesitation and expects full cooperation of both contractors to facilitate revised transition timelines. Transition timelines are per the agreement reached on 02 April are:

Dublin Weston – 01 July 2025

Sligo – 16 December 2025

Waterford – 01 February 2026.

On 8th April 2025, Bristow Ireland was notified by Irish Aviation Authority that the stretcher arrangement in use required modification in order to meet Helicopter Emergency Medical Support (HEMS) regulatory approvals. This decision does not apply to Helicopter Search and Rescue Operations and only applies to the Shannon base. The Coast Guard continues to provide nationwide HEMS support to the National Ambulance Service from its bases at Sligo, Waterford and Dublin. My Department has been notified by Bristow Helicopters that it will shortly have a revised solution in place and anticipates full resumption of HEMS, shortly thereafter. It is important to note that this review has no impact on provision of day and night aeromedical support to the offshore island communities, from any of the four bases.

Bristow Ireland is well equipped to conduct night-time operations. Prior to commencement of services, Bristow obtained IAA approval to operate with modern Night Vision Imaging Systems (NVIS) and continues to routinely operate with NVIS. The helicopters are equipped with an advanced thermal imaging system which provides an extra means to conduct night time reconnaissance. The helicopters are also equipped with four high powered, directional spotlights to illuminate the scene of an incident.