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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Nov 1980

Vol. 324 No. 8

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Lifeboat Service.

22.

asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide sufficient finance or contribute significantly towards the provision of a lifeboat service on the north Mayo coast in view of tragedies there over the years.

23.

asked the Minister for Transport if he is prepared to allocate the necessary funds for the provision of a lifeboat to enable the appropriate organisation to make available lifeboat services from a base along the north-west coast.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 23 together.

The lifeboat service around the coasts of Ireland and Britain is provided and operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, who are an independent voluntary organisation. In taking decisions about the service, including the establishment of new stations or the modification or withdrawal of existing stations, the institute have regard primarily to the safety needs of vessels in the area and to previous casualty statistics, as well as to feasibility and suitability of location.

The institute are at present re-assessing the question of a lifeboat station on the Mayo coast and I hope to be informed of the outcome at an early date.

Does the Minister personally support the provision of a lifeboat on the Mayo coast? Could he inform the House as to the level of finance given to the lifeboat service by the Government?

Most definitely I would be in support of such a measure. Indeed, I took the initiative in this regard earlier this year when I had discussions with the RNLI about the possibility of establishing a further boat on the west coast. This is an independent body as the Deputy knows. The Department gave a grant of £30,000 in 1980 towards its funding.

In view of the exceptional circumstances, would the Minister see any way whereby that amount could be increased in order to cater for the provision of a lifeboat on the west coast?

That is not a matter for me, but I should like to point out that the establishment of such a lifeboat service would cost in the region of £750,000, and it would cost in the region of £50,000 a year to maintain it.

A final supplementary from Deputy Deasy.

Has the Minister seen a newspaper report attributed to a spokesman of the lifeboat service stating that they would like to provide a lifeboat service in the area mentioned in the question but that they have not got the financial resources to do so? He appealed to the Government to make these resources available. Will the Minister and his Department agree to implement those proposals from the lifeboat service?

I saw the newspaper clipping referred to by the Deputy but I cannot remember an appeal to the Government to make funds available. The RNLI are an independent body and they do not get support from the Government apart from small grants.

This report specifically asked for a Government contribution.

A contribution was made.

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