Vol. 556 No. 4
99 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence his plans for a continued central role for the Air Corps in search and rescue operations, having regard to his decision to cancel the Sikorsky helicopter deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20496/02]
The Irish Coast Guard of the Department of Communications Marine and Natural Resources has over -all responsibility for the provision of marine search and rescue services. The Air Corps currently provides search and rescue services off the north west coast, while Canadian Helicopters Corporation Ireland is contracted to provide search and rescue services for the rest of the country. The Minister for Defence is committed to maintaining the Air Corps' role in the provision of search and rescue services and in this regard, the Air Corps is in the process of acquiring an S61 helicopter to operate in the north west region, to replace the existing Dauphin helicopter. Pilot training on the S61 is ongoing and it is planned that the helicopter will go operational in early 2003.
The S61 helicopter has been leased by the Irish Coast Guard from Canadian Helicopters pursuant to existing search and rescue contracts and has been tasked to the Air Corps. The Air Corps will provide flight crews and the aircraft will be maintained by Canadian Helicopters. The S61 will operate out of Sligo Airport. A review of the provision of helicopters services, in conjunction with the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, is ongoing, to determine how best to meet the State's obligations in search and rescue, while taking account of the current financial position. In this regard, an interdepartmental working group has been established to seek alternate solutions to the funding issue, such as public private partnerships or leasing arrangements, with a view to providing helicopters for the Air Corps by other means. The PPP unit in the Department of Finance is also involved in assessing possible solutions and this work is at an early stage.
Question No. 100 answered with Question No. 67.
Question No. 101 answered with Question No. 95.
