Coast Guard Service

Tuesday, 3 March 2026

Questions (307, 308, 309)

Paul Murphy

Question:

307. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport to outline the circumstances surrounding an aeromedical evacuation (details supplied). [16633/26]

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308. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the reasons for the difficulty in identifying and accessing a suitable landing site in Gaoth Dobhair; and whether there are sufficient designated and approved landing locations in rural areas such as Gaoth Dobhair to support timely aeromedical intervention. [16634/26]

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Paul Murphy

Question:

309. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if the new AW189 Coastguard helicopter will no longer be permitted to land at Otharlann Alt na nGealbhán, Doire; the reasons for this decision; and the alternative arrangements that have been put in place to ensure patients from Dún na nGall and surrounding areas can continue to receive timely access to appropriate medical facilities. [16635/26]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 307, 308 and 309 together.

In his capacity as Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, my colleague Seán Canney T.D, has responsibility for the Irish Coast Guard and the SAR Aviation Contract.

Coast Guard helicopter services are provided under contract to my Department by Bristow Helicopters Ireland (BIL), delivering day and night time services from four bases at Sligo, Shannon, Waterford, and Dublin (Weston). In addition to provision of primary inland, costal and offshore Search and Rescue services, the Coast Guard, on request provides helicopter support to other State bodies including day and night time aeromedical support to the NAS / HSE and day and night aeromedical support to our offshore island communities.

On 02 February this year, in response to a request from the National Ambulance Service (NAS) the Sligo based Coast Guard helicopter was tasked by the Malin Head Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Centre, to conduct a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) mission in the Gweedore area of Co Donegal. The local Coast Guard Unit, as per standing arrangements, was tasked to provide support at the helicopter landing site. The initial site proposed by the NAS was deemed unsuitable for a helicopter landing and the Coast Guard helicopter diverted to a nearby soccer pitch from where the patient was safely transported to Alt na nGealbhán, Doire Hospital. Following a local review with the Bunbeg Coast Guard Unit, it has been determined that any future HEMS missions will operate from Gweedore GAA pitch, or from the local soccer pitch.

Hospital Landing Sites in Northern Ireland are regulated by the UK Civil Aviation Authority. The HLS at Otharlann Alt na nGealbhán, Doire, is currently not an approved helicopter landing site for such flights. Coast Guard transfers to that hospital where required will be conducted via the City of Derry Airport, in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. Letterkenny University Hospital and Sligo University Hospital have approved Helicopter landing which are regularly used by Coast Guard helicopters.

I am sure that the Deputy will agree that the people of Dún na nGall and the North West in general are well served by the day and night time services provided by the Sligo based Coast Guard Helicopter (Rescue 118 as it is commonly known), supported by the three other bases as and when required.

Question No. 308 answered with Question No. 307.

Question No. 309 answered with Question No. 307.