Irish Fire-fighting helis.
As well as Executive Helicopters, there are two other operators in Ireland that are capable of aerial fire-fighting, Irish Helicopters Ltd and the Irish Air Corps. Irish Helicopters use the BO-105 and AS350 and have a contract with Coillte for fire-fighting and other work and the Air Corps apparently have purchased a 'Bambi' bucket system for the AW139. I haven't heard of the IAC AW139 being used on any fire yet. Maybe Executive Helicopters have a contract for the west coast of Ireland. The landscape in Galway and Mayo lends itself to regular brush fires each summer.
Forest fires are relatively rare here and are miniscule compared to the fires prevalent in Canada, the U.S.A. or elsewhere so a dedicated fire-fighting helicopter (like the Bell 412 with a Simplex fixed water tank, for example) will probably never feature on the Irish register. We will just have to make do with the smaller helicopters being used in this role here.
It is estimated that this fire in Co. Mayo resulted in damage valued at €1 million so the 27.5 hours flown to help in extinguishing it was money well spent. Perhaps the fire-fighting pilots have the stats to back this up, but would two or three helis working the fire on day 1 have resulted in an even greater saving to the taxpayer?
500 Fan.