The Department of Transport is coming under pressure to explain why Coast Guard Helicopters can't respond to emergency medical evacuation calls on behalf of the HSE in Clare. Bristow Ireland, which took over the state contract for search and rescue aviation services last year, is currently not licensed to take stretchers on board when responding to medical support calls. Shannon Airport is the only base in the country where this situation currently applies, as sites at Dublin, Sligo, and Waterford are still operating under the old contract. Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Cooney says it's an absurd situation.