Ged Nash TD asked the Minister about his concerns regarding the potential affordability and deliverability if the SAR service was provided by the Air Corps; His reply:In compliance with the Public Spending Code, a process has commenced to consider options for the next SAR

aviation contract as the existing contract comes to an end over the coming years.A Steering Group chaired by the Director of the Irish Coast Guard was established last year to manage this process with a view to ensuring the next service meets domestic and international

obligations for search and rescue and represents value for money for the State. As key stakeholders, the Department of Defence and the Air Corps are fully engaged in these deliberations, including as members of this Steering Group.

The process is on-going and will comply with the requirements of the Public Spending Code (PSC), which include consideration of all available and realistic options for the delivery of the service. As a first step in the Public Spending Code process, a Strategic Assessment and

Preliminary Appraisal was conducted and agreed by the Steering Group.This went to Government for information in July. This assessment included considerations in relation to the risks, affordability and deliverability across a range of potential service delivery options including

Air Corps assuming full responsibility for the service.Given that the decision-making process in relation to this is still on-going and will lead to a Government decision ultimately, it would not be appropriate for me to release any specific details in relation to considerations

around any one of the options considered as part of the Strategic Assessment and Preliminary Appraisal process.The next step is a detailed business case which is currently being prepared for Government. Ultimately, decisions on the scope, nature and procurement strategy for the

next service will be a matter for Government once the detailed business case has been finalised.