The following news story appears on Rotorhub:
The Irish Government, surprised by the extent of negative public reaction to the cancellation of its medium-lift/SAR helicopter contract (originally awarded to the Sikorsky S92), is now investigating the feasibility of leasing. Adrian English reports that the preferred solution is that a commercial organisation will buy the machines and lease them to the Government, with the option of purchase in the long-term.
Considering that this is already happening with a CHC S61 on a leaseback deal to the Air Corps it isn't that surprising!!