Vol. 509 No. 5
35 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the approach he has adopted to the consultant's report which recommended the amalgamation of the three coastal stations; and if his attention has been drawn to the concerns in those coastal communities to the proposal. [20746/99]
An expenditure review of the Irish Marine Emergency Service of my Department, conducted as part of the ongoing strategic management process, has made 60 recommendations regarding the future of the service, one of which recommends that two of the three coast radio stations, located at Malin Head, Valentia and Dublin, should be phased out of operation as full-time units.
My Department has commenced examination of the report and to achieve this a departmental group, modelled on the principles of partnership and consisting of staff, unions and management has been established to conduct the strategic study of the constitution, functions, resources etc., of an Irish coastguard; and the technical and operational study of the feasibility of a single coastal radio centre operation.
I am aware of the concern of the coastal communities involved about the recommendation that two of the three coast radio stations should be phased out as full-time units and I assure the Deputy that I will give due regard to the regional and local implications of any proposals put to me following the examination of the expenditure review.
