Bernard J. Durkan
Question:120 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he has satisfied himself with regard to the adequacy of air sea rescue services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13852/00]
Written Answers - Marine Search and Rescue Service.
I am always striving to improve the level of coverage available on all Irish coasts to ensure it continues to meet both national and international standards for marine search and rescue operations.
Major strides have been made in recent years in bringing the quality of resources, readiness, training and management up to a level in Ireland that is second to none in Europe at present. The Irish Coast Guard, a division of my Department, has contracted two civilian Sikorski S61N search and rescue helicopters, one based in Shannon Airport and the second in Dublin Airport. These helicopters are available on a 24 hour 365 day basis for emergency response on any part of the coastline. The Coast Guard has 65 full-time staff and over 600 volunteers. It manages and operates three co-ordination-communication centres at Dublin, Malin Head and Valentia, 12 remote VHF sites, two voice repeater sites and 52 coastal emergency response stations providing shore coverage.
In addition to its own resources, the Irish Coast Guard has a number of declared resources available to it on a 24 hour basis all year round. These include two Air Corps search and rescue helicopters based at Finner, and Waterford, the RNLI which has 24 lifeboat stations around the coast and seven community inshore Rescue Service boats based in strategic locations. It can also call on the Department of Defence naval vessels and divers, the Air Corps fixed wing aircraft, the gardaí and their divers and the UK Coastguard and all vessels at sea in a marine emergency situation. In addition, many local volunteer groups, such as sub-aqua clubs assist in searches and I would like to put on record my appreciation of the work done by all those involved. Stockpiles of anti-pollution equipment are retained for use in the event of an oil pollution incident.
We are constantly assessing the case, based on risk assessment by location, for improving resources. We are also undertaking a major programme of re-equipment and refurbishment of facilities available to Coast Guard volunteers and I can assure the House that I am responding positively in all cases where it is made clear to us that the provision of new facilities and the re-equipment and up-grading of existing facilities will add to our capacity to save lives at sea.
A departmental group, modelled on the principles of partnership and consisting of staff, unions and management has commenced the assessment of the recent IMES expenditure review including the recommendations concerning a coast guard and will identify the necessary organisational and service delivery changes which might arise with a view to maintaining and enhancing the high quality provision of search and rescue and pollution response in our marine and littoral areas.