Written answers
Wednesday, 7 May 2025
Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
Departmental Contracts
Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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75. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the role his Department played in bringing about a settlement (details supplied); to confirm that no monies were paid by his Department, or were legally agreed to be paid, to either operator by his Department in the future, as a result of this court case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22292/25]
Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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76. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the search and rescue service impacts that will result from the present failure of the AW189 helicopter to receive regulatory approval to carry stretchered casualties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22293/25]
Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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77. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline his Departments investigation into the ability of SAR helicopter crew to carry out cardiac resuscitation in flight, given the lack of headroom and space in the new helicopter platform; if he will publish the analysis that was undertaken with respect to this issue when choosing AW189 for SAR service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22294/25]
Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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78. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update as to whether the other competitor tenderers who were unsuccessful in search and rescue tender award had provided for fixed wing aircraft with capability to transfer stretchered casualties to UK hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22295/25]
Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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79. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the present King Air fixed wing aircraft, based at Shannon, are to be re-specified in order to conduct UK stretcher transfer; if this is not possible, the negotiations that are ongoing the provider (details supplied) to achieve this service level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22296/25]
Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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80. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to publish any advice given to his Department by the Attorney General regarding aspects of the National Search and Rescue contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22297/25]
Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 and 80 together.
At the outset, I wish to emphasise my commitment to safe and effective transition of this essential State service. All operational and contractual issues, including the matters raised by the Deputy, are managed and overseen through a series of very regular engagements between Department and Coast Guard officials, with both contractors (CHCI and Bristow Ireland Limited).
On 2nd April 2025, a legally binding agreement on updated helicopter base transition dates was finalised with the contractors concerned. This agreement does not give rise to any additional cost to the Exchequer, as commercial terms have been agreed and settled bilaterally between the two commercial operators.
The revised transition dates are as follows:
- Dublin Weston 01 July 2025
- Sligo 15 December 2025
- Waterford 01 February 2026
Coast Guard aviation services are regulated by the Irish Aviation Authority and acceptance of services is dependent on securing the necessary approvals. Prior to commencing operations at Shannon in late 2024, Bristow Ireland secured all the requisite approvals to deliver Coast Guard services from the safety regulator, including an Air Carrier Operating Licence, an Air Operator Certificate and National Search & Rescue Approval.
Similar to the existing contract Bristow Ireland Technical crews are at a minimum qualified to Paramedic level. Bristow is a PHECC registered organisation and there are no changes in the level of medical care that can be provided to casualties.
The addition of a Fixed Wing capability will enhance the Coast Guard’s capability to deliver its services in particular SAR and maritime environmental monitoring. The RFT did not require the Fixed Wing bidders to provide Air Ambulance services. This was made clear to bidders prior to submission of Final Offers during the procurement process. The contract does make provision for the upgrade of this capability should Government deem it necessary.
Throughout the procurement process, my Department received expert legal advice from the Chief State Solicitor’s Office (CSSO) and the Attorney General’s Office (AGO). The CSSO was actively involved in all aspects of the procurement process. The entire process was overseen by an independent external process auditor and, through this role, there is a high level of assurance that all national and EU procurement rules were fully complied with throughout this complex process.
Any legal advice and/or correspondence from CSSO and AGO would have been provided in confidence under legal privilege and, as such, publication would not be appropriate.
I can assure you that contract transition is progressing very well. The new contract will ensure the State will have a Coast Guard aviation service that is a global standard of excellence and will continue to meet the State’s need for the next ten years.
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