The Transport Minister has pledged a prompt review of search and rescue (SAR) aviation operations in line with a key recommendation of a report examining a fatal helicopter crash in which four members of the Irish Coast Guard perished.

A Sea King helicopter, one of the world’s most iconic search and rescue aircraft, is to be named after Capt Dara Fitzpatrick who was among four crew killed in the Rescue 116 tragedy.

Profits at the company that operates the €500m State contract to provide helicopter Search and Rescue — SAR — services last year increased eight-fold to €3.4m.