Vol. 397 No. 2
11 Mr. G. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Marine if representations have been made to the European Commission by the Government to set up a European coastguard service which would finance a medium range search and rescue helicopter service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
53 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for the Marine if he intends to take any steps during the Irish Presidency of the EC to advance the proposal for the establishment of a single European coastguard and rescue service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
55 Mr. G. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Marine , having regard to the recent sea and air rescue operations off the south and west coasts; if he has any plans to review the appropriate services with a view to improving same; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
(Limerick West): I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 53 and 55 together.
I received the final report of the review group on air-sea rescue services recently. The group were established in February 1989 to examine the structure and operation of the air-sea rescue services and to make recommendations to ensure a cost effective and efficient service to meet national and international requirements.
The review group have examined in detail all aspects of the State's search and rescue system including the possibility of European Community funding for the service. The European Commission has not up to now been prepared to entertain such funding. However, I understand that the EC Commissioner, Mr. Carlo Ripa de Meana, told the European Parliament that he would support the formation of a specialised fleet for sea rescue and that he would examine the location of such a service in Ireland in more detail and without delay. We are awaiting clarification of the Commission's intentions in this regard.
Ireland hopes to receive a large share of the IR£85 million approximately which was set aside by the Council of Ministers in November last year for fishery surveillance purposes. Vessels and aircraft funded under that package may, of course, be employed to assist in search and rescue operations.
Until the Government have had time to consider and implement, as appropriate, the review group's many recommendations designed to improve the search and rescue services, I do not propose to rush into any proposal for the establishment of a single European coastguard and rescue service. Such a proposal would have to be carefully considered when views of the European Commission on the matter have been clarified.
I hope to submit the review group's recommendations to Government as soon as possible.
Would the Minister of State not agree that air-sea rescue operations off our coasts is a controversial topic and that the report of the review group should be published soon? I am sure the Minister of State is aware that there is great concern in the fishing industry about the inadequacy of our air-sea rescue services. Therefore, I ask the Minister of State to give us an indication of when that report will be published and if it will be made available to the House?
(Limerick West): I hope to be in a position, as I said, to submit this report to the Government shortly. It will then be a matter for the Government to decide whether the report should be published or not.
The Minister of State said in his initial reply, in relation to the location of a specialised fleet for sea rescue in Ireland, that he is awaiting a reply from the Commission. The EC Commissioner made his statement to the European parliament following the submission of the report to the Minister of State's Department but I would point out that that is a matter for consideration in the longer term. What we need to do in the short-term is provide a proper air-sea rescue service. Is the Minister of State in a position to inform the House as to when the Government are going to make a decision on the report and if it is the intention to publish it? It would be highly dangerous to use the EC announcement in an attempt to stall the making of a decision.
(Limerick West): There is no question of using an EC announcement in an attempt to stall a decision on the national question, far from it.
Which national question?
(Limerick West): The report is now being examined in my Department and I hope to be in a position to present it to the Government very shortly. It will then be a matter for the Government to decide whether the report should be published and fully implemented.
In relation to the establishment of a European coastguard and rescue service, can the Minister of State inform us if this matter has been raised at the Council of Ministers by the Minister? In view of the fact that we will not hold the Presidency again for another six years has the Minister of State any immediate plans to advance this issue during the course of the Presidency?
(Limerick West): That aspect is being examined. I will bring the views of the Deputy to the attention of the Minister.
Has the Minister raised this matter at the Council of Ministers?
(Limerick West): All these matters are examined from time to time and raised, as appropriate.
