I propose to take Questions Nos. 5, 6 and 25 together.
As part of the Government's efforts to reduce public expenditure, a general review of the Meteorological Service was carried out by senior officers of the Departments of Tourism and Transport and Finance to identify, inter alia, the scope for reducing costs and increasing revenues. Representatives of the Meteorological Service participated in the review. Arising from the review, which was wide ranging and took full account of the needs of the service in the modern environment, the review group made comprehensive recommendations for maintaining the general level and standard of the Meteorological Service operations, but at substantially reduced costs. The recommendations focused on the scope for improved structures, greater use of automation and general rationalisation with a view to achieving a more efficient and cost effective service.
As part of this rationalisation process the group recommended, inter alia, the closure of the weather observation station at Roche's Point in County Coark. This station has no formal role in the dissemination of meteorological information. Furthermore, it is planned to install an automatic observing system at Roche's Point. Accordingly routine climatological information will continue to be available to those who require it.
I am satisfied that there will be no diminution in the quality of forecasts for the Celtic Sea as a result of the new arrangements.
The five staff members at Roche's Point will be redeployed elsewhere in the Meteorological Service to fill existing vacancies. The once-off cost of the staff move will be about £30,000.