asked the Minister for Communications if he will outline the precise strategy for dealing with marine craft casualties off the Irish coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Marine Craft Casualties.
5.
The Marine Rescue Coordination Centre which is under the aegis of my Department are responsible for the reception and dissemination of information in relation to marine distress signals originating in the sea areas covered by the centre and for the coordination of marine rescue measures in these areas. The centre is located at Shannon Airport and is operated on a 24-hours basis by my Department's air traffic services.
The system of marine search and rescue in the State involves a number of rescue agencies including the Naval Service, the Air Corps, the coast life saving service, the coast radio stations at Valentia and Malin Head, a number of port radio installations, the Garda Síochána and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. The MRCC can also ask for assistance when needed from the British Navy, the RAF and the British coast radio stations. In addition, shipping in the vicinity of a casualty, and in a position to assist, can be called upon by the centre.
These various agencies provide a comprehensive marine rescue service. The arrangements are, however, subject to regular review to ensure that they meet prevailing needs as fully as possible within the constraints of the resources available.
Does the Minister agree that a "comprehensive service" is a bit optimistic especially in relation to recent craft off the south-west Cork coast? It is ridiculous to talk about a 24-hour service when we do not even have a helicopter which can operate at night. Does the Minister agree that our only policy is to wait around for stricken craft to run aground? Can he give us any assurance in relation to the south-west Cork coast, which is adjacent to a busy shipping lane, that there will be a specific strategy to deal with stricken vessels when they call for help?
There is a committee associated with the Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre who keep all these matters constantly under review. Naturally, they will all be taken into consideration to see how they might be improved. Regrettably, we do not have a massive service which can be called into operation when there is a disaster. However, there is an improvement in regard to helicopters and I understand that two will be made available on a full time basis to the Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre.
In relation to the south-west coast, has any cognisance been taken of the Costello report regarding certain measures which could be taken? It is a bit late to have a committee reviewing this matter — I know that is the style of the Government — but we have had reviews to stagnation point by now. Have any lessons been learned from the disaster of almost a decade ago, from the report of the Costello Tribunal or the difficulties we had with two vessels off the south-west Cork coast three weeks ago?
I cannot name specific areas in which improvements were introduced arising out of previous experience but I know that the committee realise the necessity for introducing improvements within the limits of our resources. Unfortunately, we do not have the massive resources available to other countries for this kind of operation but the introduction of the special helicopter——
We were talking about such helicopters when the Pope was here. We could not let him wander around the Bog of Allen.
The Kowloon Bridge drifted dangerously for 14 hours and no action was taken to help it. Is there any strategy for dealing with that kind of problem if it arises again?
The fact that this vessel drifted for hours with no one aboard, as the crew had been rescued, was taken into consideration. Naturally the lessons learned will be taken into account in deciding the future strategy of the rescue service.
Does the Minister agree that there is a peculiar similarity in dealing with those two vessels and the ship of State which is drifting very dangerously at present?
That is not relevant.
The Minister indicated it is proposed to locate two helicopters on the south coast. Can the Minister tell us if it is proposed to have any helicopters based on the west coast to help in an emergency?
As regards the ship of State drifting, there are always a number of people wishing to board it again. As regards the helicopters, I said they would be attached permanently to the marine rescue service, not stationed on the south coast.