The Government approved the purchase of a second Garda helicopter in November 1998. A tender competition was held and an EC 135 was ordered. That helicopter has now been constructed and fitted out with special police equipment. It is at present completing its acceptance tests and will be available shortly. This will greatly expand the area of operations of the air support unit and allow for greater availability of air support in the fight against crime.
The Government recently approved my proposal to contract out the piloting and maintenance of the second helicopter for a trial period. The Air Corps indicated that they would have to contract out the maintenance of this aircraft and I am availing of the opportunity to explore other piloting and maintenance arrangements with a view to assessing alternatives in terms of such factors as efficiency and cost-effectiveness. An interdepartmental committee to facilitate, oversee and assess the trial is in the process of being established. The arrangements for this new approach will be put in place over the next few months. When sufficient experience of the revised operating arrangements has been gained – over a period of 12 to 24 months – the results of the trial will be submitted to Government.