Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 February 2014
289. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the nationality of the pilot recently hired in the Irish Coast Guard; the experience level of the pilot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10309/14]
View answerAs I stated in my earlier reply to the Deputy, CHC Ireland is contracted to my Department to provide a Search and Rescue helicopter service to the Irish Coast Guard.
Under the terms of the contract, CHC has sole responsibility for employment, certification and licensing of all personnel retained for the purposes of providing the services under the contract. There are provisions in the contract which address CHC's commitments in respect of standards and crew training and the company adheres to a policy of selecting the most suitably qualified personnel for each specialised post. Additionally, CHC is required to adhere to all relevant international aviation standards as overseen by the Irish Aviation Authority.
