General says Air Corps should run search and rescue service 

The Irish Air Corps was among the organisations assisting in last year's devastating fires in Killarney National Park. Picture: Valerie O'Sullivan

A leading general has warned that allowing a commercial operator to run the Irish Coast Guard search-and-rescue service will cost taxpayers more money than if the State ran it itself.

In a confidential submission seen by the Irish Examiner, Brigadier General Rory O'Connor, General Officer Commanding Air Corps and Director of Military Aviation, champions the role of the Air Corps as being more cost effective than a commercial operator.