Irish S-92 Contract
Following the minister's decision yesterday I feel, mr. smith has once again delivered on his promise!!!! ( well as far as he is concerned).
The first Air Corps review board for a medium range SAR aircraft was set up in the early eighties. Since then it has being review after review. When the most recent board was set up last year it had to report back to the minister by mid 2001. Unfortunately, it was already evident that he was once again was going to play the political game.
Since the tragic accident in tramore on the 2nd of july 1999, the sequence of events has been as follows:
1. post accident : minister announces new board to find replacement for dauphin SA365 Fi.
2. Board assembled in early 2001 to report back to the government with recommendation by mid 2001.
3. As with all these type of contracts, work was delayed. by sept. 2001 the board recommended that while all aircraft were suitable to fill the operational roles there was one aircaft which was found the most suitable !!!!!!
4. after a short period and rumours that the S-92 project were offering a package along with the sale of their aircraft, the Minister change the terms of reference of the contract procedures to get a best and final offer from all concerned. this was post Sept. 11th and was a very good move especially with the way the aviation market was been hit. unfotunately when the contract was offered to S-92, eurocopter, rightly so, put in a apppeal to the high court and the stale mate continued from there.
5. Obviously with the the slow down in the Irish economy and cut backs the first thing to go was going to be the medium range contract.
So from a political point of view where does this leave the minister. Well he did what he said he would do:
1. Set up a board.
2. Offer Contracts to whatever compny was found the most suitable.
3. It's not his fault that the whole thing was slowed up!!!!!
4. It was not his fault that just as a final decision is to be made by the high court, that his department was told to cut back it's budget !!!!!!! and therefore unfortunately, and with his deepest regret !!!!!!! he had to pull the plug on the biggest military acquistion in the history of the State!!!!!!!!!
It was not his fault!!!!!! , it's Politics!!!!!
It is interesting to note that while this contract was ongoing and in the media lime light , there was also a board set up by the department to look at up grading the dauphin's. It strange that when a organisation is so determined to get a new fleet of aircraft,that at the same time they are also sourcing the possiblilty of upgrading an aircraft that they had already agreed ( in the public arena!!!) should be got rid of.
So I feel disappointed for the whole SAR culture in Ireland today. People, wheather Coastal rescue, mountain rescue, RNLI, and the voluntary groups around the coast have all lost a great oppurtunity to enhance their voluntary operations in the hope of helping those in trouble.
So where does the Irish SAR operation from here ........
Thankfully CHC are there to cover the gaps and I congratulate them. They worked hard to get Waterford SAR up and running and now with their three bases and their leasing of a medium lift aircraft (S-61) to the Irish Air Corps, they are now regardless of what way our good friend !!!! Mr. smith wants to call it, the only SAR organisation in Ireland.
In closing, I also wish the Air Corps all the Best. They are hardworking professional and have and will do a very professional and worth while service for the State. it is a pity that those for whom they work for, haven't the same admiration.:o