CHC Ireland has claimed there was “political interference” in the tender for the new Irish Coast Guard search and rescue helicopter contract.
The Sunday Business Post reports that High Court filings by the company make this claim.
The company confirmed last month that it had initiated a High Court challenge to the validity of the tender procedure for the new contract, quoted at 670 million euro ex-VAT over ten years.
The company also claims there was a conflict of interest relating to a decision to award the contract to Bristow Ireland Ltd, and argues that it should be set aside.
Over 140 people have been employed by CHC Ireland at the four bases over the past 20 years of the current contract, which cost 60 million euro annually.
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan has confirmed Bristow Ireland Ltd as the preferred bidder for the new contract from 2025.
Bristow Ireland Ltd is a subsidiary of the Bristow group, which runs search and rescue services for Britain, the Netherlands and the Falkland Islands.
When confirming the High Court challenge, CHC director of operations and accountable manager Ireland Rob Tatten said that “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,” Tatten said.
Read more in the Sunday Business Post here