48 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Defence when the new helicopters will be operational with the Air Corps; the training programme which will commence; the position regarding the interim period with Air Corps aircraft and private contractors; the private contracts which will be extended and renewed; and the time frame in this regard. [12144/02]

On 17 January, I authorised my Department to open negotiations with Sikorsky International Operations for the purchase of three S92 medium range helicopters for search and rescue purposes. The negotiations were to include an option exercisable within three years by the Department for a further two helicopters for general purpose military transport. The time frame proposed by Sikorsky would see the delivery of three search and rescue helicopters by the end of next year. Following my decision of 17 January, another companies involved in the competition, Eurocopter, instituted judicial review proceedings, contesting the decision to open negotiations with Sikorsky. The matter was up for mention in the High Court last Monday, 15 April, but was adjourned with the consent of all parties to Monday, 13 May. A comprehensive training package will be provided to cover the provision of the new helicopters. Interim arrangements which have to be made for helicopters are the subject of ongoing discussions between my Department and the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources.