The Government has decided to contract out the piloting of the second Garda helicopter, due for delivery next month, a Department of Justice spokesman confirmed yesterday.
The Garda is understood to be open to a 12-month trial period for a private operator to pilot and maintain the new £4 million craft.
A senior Garda source said there had been problems in piloting and crewing the Garda Air Support Unit's (GASU) fixed wing aircraft and helicopter.
He added that it was common practice in other European countries for private companies to crew police helicopter services.
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In September, the Comptroller and Auditor General's report said the arrangement in force "impacted adversely on its [GASU] financial management".