asked the Minister for the Marine if he will provide funds to establish a ship to shore radio link for Rosslare Harbour, County Wexford, which is essential for the safe monitoring of ships in the south Irish sea and off the southern coast of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Ship to Shore Radio Link.
94.
I presume that the Deputy is referring to the provision of marine VHF communications facilities for Rosslare and the South East coast generally.
There are at present four marine VHF communications stations, controlled from the manned coast radio stations at Valentia and Malin Head which provide VHF communications facilities on the north west and south west coasts. In addition, there is a pilot manned station at Dublin airport which provides a listening watch on VHF covering the east coast as far south as Wicklow Head.
A provision of £350,000 has been made in the Vote for my Department for 1987 to provide for the expansion of the existing VHF cover around the coast. The location of additional facilities is at present being considered and, in this regard, the needs of the south east coast and of other coastal areas is being taken into account.