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Coast Guard Service

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021

Wednesday, 21 April 2021

Questions (414)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

414. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to a meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport in 2019 regarding the role of the Irish Coast Guard (details supplied). [20022/21]

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Written answers

I would like to thank Deputy Murphy for bringing this wide ranging meeting in relation to the role of the Coast Guard to my attention. The meeting touched on a variety of issues some of which are still current including the development of the successor aviation service for the Coast Guard which I understand is of particular interest to the Deputy. In that regard, I note that various issues were raised by the Committee members at the time in relation to a potential role of the Air Corps, the suitability of certain helicopter types, the value of the contract, etc.

I am happy to report to the Deputy that two years on, a project is now well advanced in relation to developing a detailed business case for the new service in compliance with the Public Spending Code. An initial report was brought to Government in July last, following approval by a Steering Group of state stakeholders. This report included a strategic assessment, setting out the context for SAR aviation programme, an organisational overview, and a survey of existing policies and strategies relevant to the programme. It identified the spending objectives of the programme including existing arrangements and relevant business needs. It also included an appraisal of various service delivery options, including the state assuming full responsibility for the service, either through the Air Corps or a dedicated IRCG Aviation Branch. Both were ruled out for a variety of reasons. The process is now at detailed business case stage which is focused on the remaining viable options. While it is not envisaged that the Air Corps take full responsibility for this service on the basis of that initial assessment, my Department was asked by the Department of Defence to explore the viability of the Air Corps providing some element of the SAR aviation service.

To be clear, I have no role in the business case development. This is being led by KPMG and a Project Team which includes officials in my Department and independent expertise. The outcome of this will be brought to Government shortly.

All relevant and reliable information on the current status of this project can be found on our dedicated SAR Webpage – including a very detailed update last week which addresses some of these issues in more depth.

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