asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether he proposes to make arrangements for the receipt of wireless calls from ships, and if he will take steps to find means of communication between the Gárda Síochána, the Harbour Authorities, the Lighthouse service, and the Life Boat Stations.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - WIRELESS CALLS FROM SHIPS.
Arrangements are already in operation by which distress calls from vessels off the Irish coasts intercepted by the Wireless Telegraphy Stations at Valentia and Malin Head are transmitted at once to the nearest Lifeboat Station and Coast Life Saving Station and to the Marine Section of the Department of Industry and Commerce.
The Public Telephone Service ensures communication between the Department's Coast Life Saving Stations, the Lifeboat Stations, Lighthouses, Gárda Síochána, Harbour Authorities, and any other agencies capable of rendering assistance to vessels in distress.
Will the Minister take steps to improve those arrangements?
I can hardly improve arrangements which ensure communication between all the agencies I have mentioned, which are summarised as being capable of rendering assistance to vessels in distress.