Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 6 Apr 1993

Vol. 429 No. 3

Written Answers. - Loop Head Mast.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

53 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Marine if he has met with the Loop Head Loran C Investigative Committee; if that committee has expressed a concern to him that the proposed Loran C Mast at Loop Head is intended for military/naval use by the French authorities; the investigations, if any, he has carried out to establish if these concerns are accurate; if he has raised the matter with his French counterparts; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Andrews)

I met the Loop Head committee, together with local public representatives on 10 March last to discuss the proposed construction of a Loran C radio navigation mast at Loop Head.

In the course of a very open and constructive discussion concern was expressed to me that the mast could be used for French military or naval purposes.

I can assure the Deputy that these concerns are unfounded. In the first place, the Irish Loran C installation will be operated and controlled by the Commissioners of Irish Lights on behalf of the Government. Secondly, and contrary to having military connotations International Agreement on a Loran C sytem, concluded by the six north west European States including Ireland, is designed to ensure the availability of an independent radio navigation system for civilian and commercial use. The Loran C system is being extended and taken over in this way precisely in order to avoid reliance on the GPS system which is owned, supported and controlled by the US military establishment.

On the basis of this I have no plans to raise the matter with the French authorities.