As I indicated in my reply to an identical question on 22 March there is a range of issues involved in this very complex and sensitive matter. On the one hand, there is a binding international commitment on the State, issues to do with safety of marine investigation in our general area and the issue of whether we should or could depend on GPS, a radio navigation system operated and maintained by the United States and, on the other, there are the understandable concerns of local communities in the area of the planned site about the impact of the proposed station on them. I indicated on that occasion that it would take me some time to brief myself adequately on the totality of these issues and that I could not indicate a timeframe within which decisions might be made.
I have largely completed my review of the issues and will bring proposals to Government in the near future 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.