Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 December 2021
167. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport the State regulatory body that is responsible for ensuring that companies operating services on behalf of the State in relation to air, sea rescue operations have fully qualified personnel to operate aircraft and other emergency vehicles; the oversights and safeguards this body has over the persons operating such contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59924/21]
View answerThe Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) exercises safety oversight of the aviation Search and Rescue operator through its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and a National Search & Rescue Approval. The role of the IAA concerning Search and Rescue covers both the aviation safety regulation and oversight of Search and Rescue operations performed by air, the operator, and the aircraft, as well as oversight and operational responsibility for Search and Rescue aviation coordination centres and sub-centres.
An AOC is a certificate that allows an operator to perform specific operations of commercial air transport and to obtain an AOC an operator must complete a thorough process to satisfy the IAA that it is competent to secure the safe operation of aircraft. The National Search & Rescue Approval provides for alleviation/exemptions that are necessary to operate outside of the requirements used to conduct commercial air transport without which some of the search and rescue operations would not be possible. There are safety cases (documented assurance of the achievement and maintenance of safety) for all alleviation/exemptions, and these are reviewed by the IAA on a yearly basis.
The IAA regularly audits the SAR operator on all aspects of its operation including its safety management system, assets, and personnel. The audits are based on compliance type assessment, as well as risk-based assessment.
As part of its oversight programme, the IAA will track how safety recommendations from the AAIU's Final Report into the R116 accident directed at the operator are addressed and ensure that they are appropriately implemented.
In terms of contract performance issues, contract changes, high level safety matters and any financial issues are managed through regular Contract Operation meetings between the Coast Guard and the operator’s management personnel.
