Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Mar 2001

Vol. 533 No. 4

Written Answers. - Air and Rescue Service.

Alan M. Dukes

Question:

56 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Defence if he will lease an appropriate helicopter to provide a 24 hour air and sea rescue service from Waterford pending the purchase of new helicopters; and his views on whether the service currently provided is inadequate and places lives at risk. [9109/01]

Brian O'Shea

Question:

67 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Defence the position in regard to the tendering process for the supply of medium lift helicopters; when he expects the tendering process will be completed; when it is expected that the helicopters will be supplied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9012/01]

Alan Shatter

Question:

85 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Defence if he will lease an appropriate helicopter to provide a 24 hour air and sea rescue service from Waterford pending the purchase of new helicopters; and his views on whether the service provided is adequate to ensure the protection of lives. [9160/01]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 , 67 and 85 together.

The tender competition for the acquisition of medium lift helicopters for the Air Corps is progressing well. This major investment programme involves the acquisition of two medium lift helicopters, with an option of a third, for search and rescue purposes, as well as an option for two medium lift helicopters for general purpose military transport.

The tender competition is being carried out in two stages, a request for proposals, RFP, stage and a request for tenders, RFT, stage. Responses to the REP were received in the Department on 21 September 2000. Six responses were received. The six responses were evaluated and a short list of four companies for participation in the RFT stage was drawn up. The documentation for the RFT stage issued on 5 March 2001 and tenders are due back in the Department on 19 April 2001. Following receipt of tenders, a comprehensive evaluation process will begin on the proposed helicopters. The evaluation will, of necessity, take some time to complete. It is expected that the Department will be in a position to place a contract in the middle of this year.

The lead-in time for the delivery of the helicopters will differ and this is a matter that will have to be discussed with the successful tenderer in due course. I assure the Deputy that every effort will be made to have the helicopters delivered at the earliest possible dates, while also taking account of the intensive training requirements involved. The primary responsibility for the provision of search and rescue services lies with the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources, Irish Coast Guard, and my Department and the Air Corps will do its utmost to facilitate the Irish Coast Guard whenever possible.

The placement of the new helicopters is one of the issues being considered by a Department of the Marine and Natural Resources and Department of Defence working group. The work of the group is ongoing but progress has been made on the Waterford situation. My colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Byrne, announced in the Dáil on 21 March 2001 that his Department had commenced negotiations on a contract for the early provision of a new dedicated night flying medium lift helicopter capacity at Waterford to replace the service currently provided by an Air Corps Alouette helicopter. This provision will be an interim arrangement pending a more permanent placing of a fully suitable service in Waterford. The Department of the Marine and Natural Resources has also commenced the contract procedures for the acquisition on contract of the latter service. It is expected that the replacement helicopter will be in place later this year.

Question No. 57 answered with Question No. 32