Vol. 244 No. 11
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if his attention has been called to recent statements regarding the inadequacy of emergency rescue services on the Irish coast; if so, whether he proposes to take any steps to improve the services; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
81.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will consider the immediate establishment of an adequate sea rescue service.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 81 together.
In view of the various erroneous statements which have been made in this matter, I feel it is necessary to give a brief outline of the organisation and operation of the marine rescue services. Marine rescue efforts are co-ordinated through the marine rescue co-ordination centre, Haulbowline, which is operated by the naval service. The centre is responsible for the reception and dissemination of information from marine distress messages relating to the coasts of Ireland and adjacent territorial and high seas and for the co-ordination of marine rescue measures generally.
The various rescue agencies upon which the centre can call are:—
(i) The Royal National Lifeboat Institution who have fifteen lifeboats around the coast and two inshore rescue boats.
(ii) The Coast Life-Saving Service which is under the control of my Department and comprises 54 stations around the coast equipped with rocket and life-saving apparatus and other rescue equipment.
(iii) The Air Corps who maintain helicopters which can be used for marine rescue and whose fixed wing aircraft assist in search when requested.
(iv) Naval Service ships and base radio station.
(v) The Shannon Rescue Co-Ordination Centre who operate with the Haulbowline Centre when aircraft are in distress at sea.
(vi) The Garda Síochána, for organising local rescue efforts and generally assisting in local identification, reporting, et cetera.
(vii) Coast radio stations at Malin Head and Valentia which are under the control of my Department.
(viii) The Commissioners of Irish Lights who assist in communications between the centre and lifeboats.
(ix) Port radio installations at Dublin, Dunmore, Cobh and Cork.
(x) Ships in the vicinity which under international convention and national law are required to proceed to the aid of vessels or aircraft in distress.
The centre also co-operates with the appropriate British rescue services when required. The adequacy and efficiency of this network of rescue services are kept under constant review by my Department. A special comprehensive review of the various services and of the operation of the system as a whole is being carried out at present and I hope to be in a position to make a full statement on the matter in the near future.
Surely the Minister will agree that the two incidents, (1) the crash of the St. Phelim off the Wexford Coast and (2) the shipping mishap off the south-west coast last week clearly indicate the inadequacy of the sea rescue service? Would the Minister consider a suggestion put forward in recent days that a helicopter specially adapted for air-sea rescue should be provided?
Everything is being considered under the special review I mentioned. I am satisfied that the facilities are there and my only concern is to ensure closer co-ordination. It is a question of co-ordination and organisation. This attitude is being examined at present.
Can we have an assurance that we will not have to wait for another disaster before——
I cannot give any assurance about that. I hope to be in a position to make a very full statement on the matter in the near future.
It took one of the corvettes 36 hours to reach the crash.
