From today's (19/12/03) Irish Independent -
" Air Corps row 'didn't force change'
Sean Molony.
Defence Minister Micheal Smith yesterday said a dispute with Air Corps winchmen had nothing to do with his move to close military search-and-rescue (SAR) seivices in the north west.
Mr Smith said air forces across the world were getting out of SAR to leave it to coastguard or civilian operations. Because he could not guarantee cover for seafarers, he had to avail of a privatisation offer, he said.
At one stage 13 out of 17 winchmen were off sick at Sligo Regional Airport, where SAR services were based. This followed a pay claim, subsequently withdrawn, and a dispute over equipment forcing the hiring of a Canadian helicopter."
