The company which currently operates the Coast Guard search and rescue service has said it has started a High Court challenge against the validity of the tender process which recently saw the next contract awarded to a different operator.
The Government announced last month that the "preferred bidder" for the next 10-year contract for Irish Coast Guard aviation services is Bristow Ireland Ltd, a subsidiary of Bristow Helicopters Ltd who run the search and rescue service for the coast guard in the UK.
CHC Ireland run the service at the moment on a contract which is due to finish next year.
The next €670 million contract provides for the retention of search and rescue helicopter bases in Sligo, Shannon, Waterford, and Dublin, as well as a fixed-wing aircraft element.
News of the preferred bidder status for Bristow came following a recommendation from the Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan and Minister of State Jack Chambers.
There is provision for the helicopter and fixed-wing element to be extended to 13 years, from the planned 10 years of the new contract.
A statement issued last month by the Department of Transport said finalisation of contracts was expected within a number of weeks.
However, CHC Ireland said in a statement today from its director of operations and accountable manager in Ireland, Rob Tatten, that it has "commenced a High Court challenge" in relation to the "validity of the tender process" for the Coast Guard aviation service.
"Upon considering the outcome of the tender process as notified to CHC, CHC is concerned that there are a number of flaws in the conduct of the competition. In view of the strict time limits in Irish law for taking steps to protect our rights we were left with no option but to initiate proceedings to challenge the outcome of the process," the company said in its statement.
"CHC Ireland has submitted a tender which it believes is innovative and represents the best value to the taxpayer and the best outcome for the Irish Coast Guard Helicopter Search and Rescue Service. Foremost in our thoughts are the staff who provide the service and the people who rely on it. This is consistent with our philosophy of putting people at the forefront of everything, as we have done for the past 20-plus years."
