Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 11 Nov 1998

Vol. 496 No. 4

Written Answers. - Coastguard Service.

Gay Mitchell

Question:

108 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Defence his views on the development of the coastguard service as recently outlined; the liaison which will be necessary with the Naval Service; and the liaison structures, if any, needed to implement this. [9048/98]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

As the Deputy will be aware, my colleague, the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, recently announced his intention to develop and identify the Irish Marine Emergency Service, IMES, as a national coastguard service and that he intends to bring forward specific proposals in this regard. The proposed new coastguard service will give greater public recognition to all personnel involved in marine emergency response.

As regards liaison with the Naval Service, that service currently responds to calls for assistance from IMES in marine emergency situations. The Naval Service is also represented on the marine emergency advisory group which comprises senior officers of the maritime and land based emergency services and also as the Irish marine search and rescue committee. The latter is a standing consultative committee representing the providers and users of the search and rescue services. My Department will give full consideration in to any request received for Naval Service assistance in connection with the operation of the proposed new service.