asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether, in view of the increasing automation of the lighthouse service and in particular of the forthcoming replacement of the manned lighthouse on Dún Laoghaire East Pier by an automatic installation, he will discuss with the Irish lifeboat authorities, the Irish Lights Commissioners, port authorities and the Minister for Defence ways and means of establishing a voluntary or part-time coast-watching service in certain areas, particularly round Dublin Bay, to supply to the life-saving service the vital information hitherto supplied by lighthouse keepers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Coast-Watching Service.
62.
I understand that the installation of automatic equipment at manned lighthouses is being considered by the Commissioners of Irish Lights but will not be carried out for some time. In the case of the Dún Laoghaire, East Pier lighthouse, I understand that the change-over will not take place until late 1971 and that even then there will still be a resident keeper.
The effect of the introduction of automation at lighthouses on the supply of information to the life saving services will be considered in the course of the periodic reviews of these services which are carried out by my Department.