asked the Minister for the Marine the proposals he has regarding the improvement of Valentia radio station, County Kerry; and if it is his intention to expand same.
Written Answers. - Valentia (Kerry) Radio Station.
182.
Since the setting up of my Department in March 1987 a number of significant developments in relation to marine communications and to Valentia Radio Station in particular have taken place.
I relaunched the marine VHF communications development programme which had been halted for budgetary reasons after four stations were built and with an increased budgetary allocation in 1988 brought five more VHF stations on the air.
Valentia Coast Radio Station is now the control centre for five maritime VHF stations located at Rosslare, Cork, Bantry, Valentia and Shannon (near the estuary). A sixth station located at Mine Head and controlled also from Valentia will be commissioned shortly. Further surveys are being carried out, particularly along the west coast, to identify if any gaps in coverage exist. Any significant shadow areas, once identified, will be filled. Medium frequency transmitters which had reached the end of their useful life at the two manned coast radio stations at Valentia and Malin head were replaced in 1988, two of them being installed at Valentia. Tenders for two more for Valentia have been invited and provision for their purchase is included in this year's estimate. Two new wireless telegraphy (morse) transmitters have also been installed there. The emergency power plant has been replaced by a new and more powerful installation.
In 1988, in co-operation with the Department of Defence, the Naval Service and Telecom Éireann, the computerisation of fishery reports and commercial traffic at the Valentia Coast Station commenced. This work will be completed in June 1989.
Later this year, I hope to add on to the computer system a package to handle search and rescue information. I envisage a computer network eventually linking all the major rescue agencies. To this end a leased data line linking the Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre at Shannon with Valentia Coast Radio Station is being installed. Preparatory training for computerisation at the MRCC at Shannon is under way. Computer equipment should be installed there before the end of the year.
I am aware that receiver equipment at Valentia, while still fully operational, is ageing. I intend to commence a replacement programme this year.
Equipment currently being purchased for Valentia will meet the requirements of the new global maritime distress and safety system (GMDSS). This system, which will be fully implemented by the year 1999, proposes to integrate modern communications media (satellite radio etc.) to enable ships in distress to contact shore rescue authorities as well as shipping in the immediate vicinity.
It is my intention to maximise the potential contribution the coast radio station service can make to both safety at sea and general maritime communications.To this end I am providing the skilled and dedicated staff at both Valentia and Malin Head coast radio stations with state-of-the-art equipment.