Vol. 514 No. 2
45 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the way in which the recently established Irish Coast Guard will differ from the Irish Marine Emergency Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3641/00]
The Government decided on 25 January 2000 to re-name the Irish Marine Emergency Service as the Irish Coast Guard, Garda Cósta na hÉireann. While no change in functions was proposed, the new title responds to a long held view among the staff and volunteers of the IMES that the new title was necessary to correctly encompass the function carried out by IMES and to create a more meaningful corporate identity.
Work is in progress on the preparation of legislation, a marine emergency service Bill, which will give the Irish Coast Guard a firm legislative base and statutory duty of responsibility for all activities associated with the discharge of its remit. The Bill will take account of the findings of the recent IMES expenditure review and Naval Service and Air Corps reviews. It will propose the appropriate functions for a coast guard following consultation with various Government Departments, national services and related interests in partnership with the staff of the Irish Coast Guard.
