Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 1 Jul 1999

Vol. 507 No. 4

Written Answers. - Coastguard Service.

David Stanton

Question:

62 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the further plans, if any, he has for the development of the Irish Marine Emergency Services as a national coastguard; the functions he envisages the coastguard will perform; the mechanism for interaction with the Naval Service and the Garda; when he will announce the setting up of the new service; if legislation will be required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17051/99]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods)

The matters relating to the development of the Irish Marine Emergency Service as a national coastguard service are being considered at present. Work is in progress on the preparation of legislation, a marine emergency service Bill, which would give the service a firm legislative base and statutory duty of responsibility for all activities associated with the discharge of its remit. This includes search and rescue in maritime and inland waters, responding to oil pollution, monitoring and control of threats to the marine environment, salvage and wreck response and safety awareness. I will make a further statement in due course.

My colleague, the Minister for Defence has said in this House that he felt the proposed new coastguard service will give greater public recognition to all personnel involved in marine emergency response. The Air Corps, Naval Service and lately the Civil Defence are declared facilities to IMES in support of its responsibilities. Aerial surveillance for detection of pollution offences and emergency towing to prevent pollution are two subjects currently under study.

I will be looking for the support of the State's military and civil powers by means of memoranda of agreement or liaison agreements to support the statutory authority of the coastguard when it is established as a civil authority. Indeed, two of the recommendations of the recent expenditure review of IMES deal specifically with the strengthening of memoranda of understanding and liaison agreements with the Air Corps and the Naval Service, in particular in relation to the pollution front. A memorandum of understanding with the Garda is in the process of completion at present.