Politics

Committee warned probe of search and rescue contract could aggravate concerns of political interference

Unsuccessful bidder for €800m contract CHC has taken case in Commercial Court over procurement process

The contract for flying search and rescue missions has been the subject of a court case.

The Oireachtas transport committee has been warned that probing the €800 million search and rescue contract could expose it to “reputational risk”, because of claims by an unsuccessful bidder that a member of the committee interfered politically with the competition.

Some members of the transport committee want to hold an emergency meeting to discuss the decision of Eamon Ryan, the Minister for Transport, to award the ten-year contract to Bristow Ireland Ltd.

It comes after the Mail on Sunday reported on concerns about Bristow’s performance and ability to respond to serious events such as mass casualty scenarios.