The east coast's 24-hour, medium-lift helicopter takes up its contract at Dublin Airport this week as part of a multi-million-pound plan to improve search and rescue services.
The Sikorsky S-61N will be inspected by the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Dr Woods, in a flypast in Howth, Co Dublin, this morning. It will be flown by contract crews, rather than by the Air Corps.
The decision to deploy a medium-lift helicopter on the east coast was taken by Dr Wood's predecessor, Mr Sean Barrett, during the previous administration. A review of marine safety commissioned by Mr Barrett recommended a £19 million plan over five years to beef up the existing Irish Marine Emergency Service (IMES), now to be transformed into a coastguard.
The review advised that existing short-range Air Corps helicopter cover be redeployed to the south coast. It is expected that this new service, based at Waterford, will take up duty shortly.
The Price Waterhouse review of the Naval Service and Air Corps advises against further privatisation of air-sea rescue, as has already occurred at Shannon for the west coast, and Dublin for the east.
It says that the £4.5 million annual bill accrues no assets to the State in terms of equipment and advised purchase of four medium-lift helicopters for the Air Corps as part of a £40 million investment plan.
Meanwhile, the Defence Forces representative organisation, PDFORRA, claims a shortage of Air Corps pilots could be met by training NCOs, some of whom have private flying qualifications.
