Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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394. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason search and rescue crew members, who perform duties for a continuous 24-hour period, have their recorded working hours reduced to 16.5 hours; if this practice is consistent with national and EU legislation on working time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46835/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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As Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports Seán Canney T.D, has responsibility for the Irish Coast Guard and the SAR Aviation Contract.

Coast Guard SAR helicopter services are provided under contract that is currently transitioning from CHCI to Bristow Ireland.

As with the existing CHCI contract, issues concerning Human Resources and Industrial Relations are managed solely by the contracted service provider, and I have no role in such matters.

I understand that the new contractor, Bristow Ireland, following contract award concluded framework agreements with the employee representative organisations, FORSA, UNITE and IALPA. Bristow has subsequently concluded two Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) while continuing to progress the conclusion of the third CBA. Bristow has also actively engaged with the cohort of CHCI staff in advance of them taking up positions with the new contract and has measures in place to enable them transfer seamlessly to Bristow Ireland, in parallel with the transition of each individual SAR base.

Coast Guard Aviation services are regulated by the Irish Aviation Authority. My Department does not have any role in the regulatory oversight of the service providers (CHCI and Bristow Ireland) and is not party to any regulatory changes with regard to management of working hours as transition between the two contracts progresses.