A number of independent TDs are concerned that the nature of the proposed contract has effectively ruled out the possibility of the Irish Air Corps playing a role, despite previous commitments to examine that option

The Air Accident Investigation Unit’s report into the crash revealed that the system did not warn the crew of the presence of Blackrock Island, which is 70 metres above sea level, before their helicopter crashed into it on March 14, 2017

Frazer-Nash, the English consultancy firm which worked on the business case approved by cabinet, is itself owned by a large private search and rescue operator called Babcock International.

Pilots’ group joins Irish Coast Guard boss in questioning the capability of the Air Corps to carry out effective rescues along east coast

A British helicopter firm has said handing some of the responsibility to the Air Corps would expand its range of skills

Chris Reynolds, director of the Irish Coast Guard, warned against the proposal that the Air Corps could provide search and rescue services for the east coast of the country