Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 March 2017
219. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason the Air Corps was unable to respond to a request to provide top cover for Rescue 116; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14647/17]
View answer223. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he has satisfied himself that the Air Corps current staffing level is sufficient to meet the needs in terms of defence, rescue services and security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14651/17]
View answer230. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on reports that the Air Corps were initially called to provide cover for the medical evacuation off the Mayo coast, that resulted in the loss of Coast Guard personnel crewing Rescue 116, but were unable to do so due to a loss of experienced personnel. [14771/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 219, 223 and 230 together.
While there are some restrictions on their availability, the Air Corps continues to provide a broad range of services on a daily basis for a diverse series of activities such as Army and Naval Service support, the Emergency Aeromedical Service, maritime patrols and fishery protection, the Ministerial Air Transport Service, inter-hospital transfers and Aid to the Civil Power duties including the Garda Air Support Unit and cash escorts.
Having regard to the Irish Coast Guard, the Coast Guard provides a nationwide maritime emergency organisation as well as a variety of services to shipping and other government agencies. The Coast Guard helicopters contribute across the roles of the Coast Guard, including the provision of maritime search and rescue services within the Irish search and rescue region.
In the past, the Air Corps provided search and rescue services but was withdrawn from this role in 2004 following a handover to CHC Ireland, a private operator. This decision was taken on account of what has always been the overriding concern of the Government: the safety of mariners and indeed anyone who gets into difficulty where Search and Rescue can respond.
The Irish Coast Guard search and rescue services can draw on the support of the Air Corps on an ‘as available’ basis under a Service Level Agreement between the Department of Defence and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, the most recent of which has been in place since 2013.
If requested, and if available, the Air Corps provide “top-cover” for the Coast Guard using a CASA fixed-wing maritime patrol aircraft. Coast Guard helicopters also provide their own “top-cover” during Search and Rescue missions.
On the night of the tragic incident, the Coast Guard requested the assistance of the Air Corps to provide "top cover". It was not possible to undertake this task. The Air Corps is not providing fixed wing aircraft for routine operations, on an ongoing basis, outside normal hours. This is because of a loss of experienced personnel both Air Crew and Air Traffic Control. All agencies for which the Air Corps provides support in accordance with their Service Level Agreements were notified of this reduced availability last summer. However, it is normal practice for agencies to check for Air Corps availability as relevant missions arise. In exceptional circumstances outside of normal hours the Air Corps can recall personnel, as happened when Rescue 116 went missing.
I want to assure the Deputy that, while there has been a loss of experienced personnel in the Air Corps, there is significant work under way in the Defence Organisation, both civil and military, aimed at improving the capacity of the Air Corps.
