Vol. 446 No. 6
151 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for the Marine in view of the recent ferry disaster involving substantial loss of life, his views on whether the introduction of a 24 hour search and rescue facility on the east coast of Ireland is a priority. [2785/94]
I am satisfied with the current deployment of 24 hour search and rescue facilities along the east coast which is in line with recommendations of the Doherty Review Group on Air-Sea Rescue Services. However, I will be keeping the service under close review.
In co-ordinating Marine Emergency Management for the east coast and elsewhere the Irish Marine Emergency Service already draws on many 24 hour declared facilities including helicopters, coast and cliff rescue service units, community inshore rescue boats and the many purpose-built lifeboats operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
