Vol. 484 No. 4
43 Ms McManus asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources when the Irish Marine Emergency Service Sikorski helicopter based at Dublin airport, designed to provide 24 hour cover for the Irish sea and east coast area, will be in place and operational; if it will be staffed solely by Air Corps pilots as promised by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22248/97]
I announced on 14 November 1997 that Bond Helicopters (Ireland) Limited has been awarded a contract to provide a new medium load carrying marine emergency helicopter service for the east coast. The new service is expected to commence on 1 July 1998.
The contract helicopter will be fully fitted for all weather service, including autohover and forward looking infra red equipment, and will be operational on a 24 hour basis. While the new service will be based in Dublin it will be capable of operating throughout the Irish Search and Rescue Region and will be available to support our other dedicated search and rescue assets.
It was never intended that the service would be operated exclusively by Air Corps pilots. I have now been advised that the Air Corps will have difficulties in supplying the agreed complement of Air Corps flying personnel for the east coast service. I can assure the Deputy, however, that the difficulties being encountered by the Air Corps in retaining flying personnel will not jeopardise the commencement and continuing delivery of the planned east coast service, accountability for which is provided under private contract.
