Vol. 460 No. 8
46 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for the Marine if the contract for the helicopter search and rescue based at Shannon Airport which is operated by a private company will expire at the end of 1996; if so, when he intends to seek tenders for the renewal of this service; if he intends to seek a proposal from the Air Corps for the provision of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2149/96]
The existing contract for the provision of a medium range search and rescue helicopter service based at Shannon was placed with Irish Helicopters Ltd, by the Department in June, 1991 following Government approval. This contract runs until the end of 1996.
Performance to date has fully lived up to expectations. Up to the end of December, 1995 the Department's helicopter has carried out 594 missions and has saved 386 lives.
The Government also decided in 1991 that the feasibility of operating a medium range helicopter service by the Air Corps from 1997 should be fully examined and costed. That option is currently being evaluated. It is expected that a report on the outcome of this assessment will be finalised shortly.
In considering all the options available for meeting our future Search and Rescue helicopter needs my objective is to deliver the highest achievable standards of reliability and quality of rescue service while ensuring the best value for State resources.
