Cecilia Keaveney
Question:277 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if the restructuring of IMES has been completed; and whether it is now operational at all levels. [2130/98]
Written Answers. - Marine Rescue Service.
The Irish Marine Emergency Service was established as a division of my Department in May 1991 following the publication of the Doherty Review Group report on air/sea rescue services. In 1992 a fully fitted out and equipped Marine Emergency Management Centre, including a marine radio communications centre, was established at Leeson Lane in Dublin. The service is responsible for the operational control and co-ordination aspects of all types of marine emergency response, including search and rescue, sea and coastal pollution, shipwreck and casualty incidents.
The Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre which was relocated to Dublin from Shannon Airport in 1993, is incorporated in the IMES headquarters. While the MRCC has overall executive responsibility for the Irish search and rescue region it is the intention to establish marine rescue sub-centres, for the co-ordination of marine emergency response within the relevant area of responsibility, at the existing manned coast radio stations at Malin Head and Valentia. The establishment of these new centres has been delayed pending the resolution of some industrial relations difficulties. I am confident that these difficulties will be sorted out as quickly as possible and the proposed centres will further improve the existing, first class, service provided to all seafarers by the Irish Marine Emergency Service.