As I indicated in my reply to an identical question on 10 February, a range of issues is involved in this very complex and sensitive matter. On the one hand there is the existence of a binding international commitment on the part of the State, issues to do with safety of marine navigation in our general area and whether we should or could depend in future on GPS, a radio-navigation system operated and maintained by the US. On the other hand there are the understandable concerns of the local communities in the area of the planned site, about the impact on them of the proposed station. I indicated on that occasion that it would take some time to brief myself adequately on the totality of these issues and that I could not give a time frame for when decisions might be made.
I have now largely completed my review of the issues and I hope shortly to be in a position to put proposals to the Government on a framework within which full consideration of all alternative options and discussions with our international partners may be carried forward in a productive fashion.