The Air Corps row over pay and conditions among search-and-rescue crew took a new twist last night when winch crew were redeployed to other duties.
The Defence Forces confirmed that 11 winch crew who were assigned to the Sligo search-and-rescue base had been posted back to Air Corps headquarters at Baldonnel in west Dublin.
A spokesman said the Sikorsky S-61 medium-life helicopter now flown by the Air Corps from Sligo would have limited capability for search-and-rescue, as it would no longer have winching crews.
The spokesman said efforts would be made to restore a full service. The helicopter would be able to carry out rescues in certain situations, the spokesman said, while acknowledging that most offshore incidents call for experienced winch personnel.
PDFORRA, the union representing winch crews, could not be contacted last night, but individual members said it was a "devastating development" at a time of deteriorating relations within the defence wing.
The move represents a considerable blow to Air Corps efforts to expand its medium-range capabilities. A Sikorsky S-61 has been leased for a three-year period by the Government at a cost of €16 million, following last year's cancellation of the contract to purchase replacement aircraft for the defence wing.
The helicopter has been stationed at Sligo Airport since earlier this year, and crews have transferred from Finner Camp. The north-west unit is the sole remaining Air Corps search-and-rescue base, as the State's three units at Dublin, Shannon and Waterford are run on contract to the Irish Coast Guard by CHC Helicopters.
During the summer PDFORRA raised concerns about safety issues within the unit and denied that this was linked to a pay claim for winch crews which it had lodged with the Department of Defence. Last month the union withdrew the claim from the conciliation and arbitration scheme and claimed that the Department's offer on pay was insufficient.