Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 8 Oct 2008

Vol. 663 No. 1

Adjournment Debate.

Job Protection.

Deputy Kieran O’Donnell

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this matter but I am very disappointed that the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment is not in the Chamber. This is a critical issue for the people in Limerick. Some 3,000 staff in Dell are worried about their jobs and their futures in Limerick. There is no person in Limerick without a family member, neighbour or friend working in Dell, or in some way associated with it. The company is an integral part of Limerick and has been a fantastic employer. We want it to continue to be so.

There has been a veil of silence from the Government regarding the future of Dell. In view of the growing uncertainty and confusion about the future of the company, it requires urgent clarification. I ask the Tánaiste to give a comprehensive statement, even though she is not in the Chamber. The Minister of State, Deputy Kelleher, is in the Chamber and I mean no disrespect to him but this is of such grave importance to Limerick and requires clarification that the Tánaiste should be here.

I raised the matter yesterday when both the Tánaiste and the Taoiseach were present. I asked if the Tánaiste could confirm or deny if she or any member of the Government were contacted directly or indirectly by Dell about the future plans for the Limerick plant and what steps she would take to avert what would be an appalling disaster for Limerick and the mid-west. I seek a comprehensive statement on this issue. I wrote to the Taoiseach on 12 September, over three weeks ago. I received a response on 25 September and it was like getting a response from the HSE. It was passed onto the Tánaiste and I have yet to receive a reply from her. Dell is a great employer for the area with over 3,000 staff and of interest to thousands more. The Government must clear the air for once and for all and spell out exactly what is Dell's position and what steps it has taken to avert this crisis.

Deputy Jan O’Sullivan

Like Deputy O'Donnell I am very disappointed that the Tánaiste has not come to the House tonight. I hope the Minister of State, Deputy Kelleher, will be able to give us answers. We need them and we also need action because there are over 3,000 people working for Dell. It is a very significant employer for the region and is extremely important not only for those directly employed but for a number of other companies that feed into or out of it. A considerable number of families are dependent on Dell. We have heard a variety of stories in the international press stating that there is a question mark over Dell worldwide, and specifically over the Limerick plant.

I tabled a question to the Minister last week and she told me that the IDA has been engaged in extensive discussions with the company at the highest level and that she has been fully briefed. She has not told us more than that, however. We must know more and the workers in particular must know exactly what is happening. I urge the Minister to clarify the situation. I will go further than that. I want the Minister to go to Dell headquarters and talk to the company, to assure them, first, of its importance in Ireland and also of its productivity. Dell has been good to Limerick but Limerick has been good to Dell. It has produced a fine productive work force and that basis has enabled Dell to go to other countries and set up plants in them. Limerick cannot now be let down by Dell.

I am convinced that if the Minister went to the company and assured it of the full support of the Government and of governmental concern that the plant be maintained in Ireland, then there would be a successful outcome. We see Ministers going to all parts of the world trying to attract industry here. Surely it is much more important, or at least as important, to go to companies when there is a question mark over them and make sure to take proactive action. It is better to do that before we get to a situation wringing our hands because the company has made an announcement that cannot be turned around. I urge the Minister to go to Dell, express these concerns and offer the full support of the Government in maintaining the plant in Limerick.

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Billy Kelleher)

I thank the Deputies for raising this matter. It is a very sensitive issue for both of them in that Dell is located in Limerick.

Dell is undertaking a fundamental review of its global manufacturing operations. That is well known and has been in the public domain for some time. IDA Ireland will keep in contact with its client companies in Ireland in the context of any global review being carried out. I can confirm that the IDA has been in close discussions and contact with Dell concerning the Limerick operation.

Deputy Kieran O’Donnell

What about the Minister? Why is she not here?

Acting Chairman (Deputy Charlie O’Connor)

The Minister of State, without interruption.

Deputy Billy Kelleher

I can tell the Deputy that the Tánaiste has been fully briefed on this and is kept abreast by the IDA. Her absence from the House tonight is in no way a disrespect to the concerns of the workers or to the Deputies opposite who have raised the matter.

This issue is very sensitive. Discussions with companies such as this are done on a confidential basis. When the IDA goes abroad and attracts companies into this country, as it has been doing very successfully down the years, all remains on a confidential basis until such time as contracts are drawn up and an announcement is made. Equally, when the IDA is in discussions with a client company that is reviewing its global operations, we must respect the confidentiality of that company and of the IDA in making sure that they can go about their business. The Government is fully committed to ensuring that we have facilities such as Dell and other global operators in this country.

It has been a successful strategy and the IDA has been very successful in attracting business into this country, particularly in the ICT sector. We all know the importance of Dell and of many other global companies that are located in Ireland. It is a considerable employment base and is equally important in the context of our net exports. We are fully aware of the importance of Dell and of other companies and are committed to ensuring that Dell remains in Limerick and, in general, that other companies remain in Ireland.

For that reason we are trying to ensure that we remain competitive and are seen as an attractive location. We have reduced corporation tax and have a highly educated, skilled, mobile and flexible workforce. We must ensure the continuance of those key ingredients that first attracted companies such as Dell and many other multinationals into this country. The Government is continually investing in education, up-skilling and re-training. It also makes sure that there is flexibility in the workforce——

Deputy Kieran O’Donnell

The Minister of State has not answered the question.

Deputy Billy Kelleher

——which is a very important factor.

Deputy Kieran O’Donnell

He should deal specifically with the issue of Dell.

Deputy Billy Kelleher

I will deal with it as specifically as I can in the context of protecting confidentiality. I do not think the Deputy or I or anybody else should jeopardise any contacts made by the State agency and by Dell——

Deputy Kieran O’Donnell

What about the Tánaiste?

Deputy Billy Kelleher

——in ensuring Dell is made fully aware of how important it is to Limerick and to Ireland.

Deputy Kieran O’Donnell

Has the Tánaiste met with Dell?

Deputy Billy Kelleher

I make the point that Ireland is seen globally as an attractive place to do business. We have considerable competition from other countries such as Puerto Rico, Singapore and elsewhere that have reduced corporation tax, where there is a highly flexible and educated workforce and huge sums are being invested in infrastructure in order to attract businesses. We are competing globally against those countries. Anything that we can do we will do. Equally, the Deputy should understand, and I hope he respects, the need to ensure that confidentiality in any discussions that take place——

Deputy Kieran O’Donnell

What is the Government doing of a proactive nature?

Deputy Billy Kelleher

That may not appease the Deputy and may not satisfy him but I am sure that he understands the reasons I have outlined.

Deputy Joe Carey

Will Dell be in Limerick next year?

Acting Chairman

One minute remains for the Minister of State.

Deputy Billy Kelleher

We are committed to ensuring that is the case. The IDA, as I said, is in continuous discussions with any client company when it locates in this country and equally when it carries out reviews. Over the next number of weeks people will say they are hearing things etc. Until such time as decisions are made it is best to leave the matter with the State agencies. The Tánaiste is being kept abreast of this particular issue——

Deputy Kieran O’Donnell

What is the Tánaiste doing?

Deputy Billy Kelleher

——and I assure the Deputy that people are working hard to ensure Dell is an integral part of the Irish economy.

Flooding at Newcastle West.

Deputy Dan Neville

I would appreciate if the Acting Chairman let me know when four minutes are up. I wish to share the last minute with Deputy Jimmy Deenihan who now has an interest in the area because of the change in constituencies.

The flooding in Newcastle West on 1 August was devastating. It was frightening. Most of the population of Newcastle West was present to see what happened. Such a deluge was never seen in living memory in the area, perhaps never. We challenge the Government to engage immediately with the people of Newcastle West who have had their premises damaged and who require assistance. Rather than passively saying that it is available to listen, the Government should engage actively with the committee which represents the victims of the flood.

The weather on the days leading up to 1 August was wet. Persistent rainfall resulted in a saturated catchment. This was revealed by soil deposits as calculated by Met Éireann. Eyewitness accounts and rainfall radar images indicate that the rain began at around 7.30 p.m. on 31 July and continued until approximately 1.30 a.m. on 1 August, giving a storm duration of six hours. Premises and houses were destroyed. The committee reckoned that up to 200 houses and properties, including business properties, were damaged. The damage cost for that single night is estimated at up to €40 million. Many houses were not insured either because they were owned by elderly people or for a variety of other reasons. People went out of business as a result of the destruction of premises.

The Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, visited the following evening and saw for himself the devastation in the area of Newcastle West. I visited the following morning with Councillor Jerome Scanlon and saw the damage at first hand before any clear up was attempted. It was so devastating that water six feet deep flowed down streets that never had been flooded previously. Met Éireann has shown that the eye of the storm travelled from Cork towards Newcastle West where it stopped for six hours before moving on. This is what caused the problem.

I want to ensure two things in respect of the Government's response to the needs that exist. First, the authorities in Northern Ireland responded immediately in an interim fashion by offering £1,000 sterling to the victims of flooding in the North. There is adequate precedent for assisting victims of flooding in Ireland in locations such as Fermoy, Drumcondra and other areas of Dublin and I ask the Minister of State to respond in this regard. Second, I ask that the Office of Public Works, OPW, will ensure that everything is done so that were such an event to recur, the system will be able to take it. While the OPW has stated it is a once in 650 years chance, it could happen again next year as it also is a twice in 1,300 years chance. Concerns have been expressed about some bridges and rivers and I ask that the Minister of State's office will make every effort to ensure no finance will be spared in respect of anything that can be done. This should be done without any consideration of the public purse. Finally, as Limerick County Council will incur a massive financial bill on this issue, the Government must respond to it.

Deputy Jimmy Deenihan

I wish to inform the Minister of State, Deputy Martin Mansergh, that major problems also occurred in Athea, County Limerick, which is close by. The people of Athea were somewhat disappointed the Minister of State did not visit them because a number of families there were flooded and were obliged to leave their houses. They felt somewhat isolated and believe they did not receive the attention they deserved.

The river at Athea is completely overgrown and obviously has not been maintained for some time. I visited the location on the day after the flooding and although the local OPW carried out some temporary work, unless the river is included in the agency's arterial drainage scheme by virtue of the Arterial Drainage Act 1945, which must be amended, it has no responsibility for it. This must be considered seriously because someone must take responsibility for rivers, especially when they threaten houses, the local population and perhaps even lives. While the Minister of State visited Newcastle West, I do not know whether he has done anything since about what happened there. However, if he intends to take measures, he also should think of the people of Athea.

I thank Kerry County Council for providing sandbags to the people of Athea, thus demonstrating that people can work together. This ensures that were any further problems to arise, they at least would have the sandbags to make them more secure and so on. I thank Deputy Neville for allowing me some time.

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Deputy Martin Mansergh)

I thank the Deputies for giving me an opportunity to come into the House to discuss the severe flooding in Newcastle West and Athea. While many locations have been affected by serious flood events in recent weeks, it was particularly severe in Newcastle West. Having seen at first hand the devastation caused in the town on the night of 31 July and 1 August and having spoken to people affected by the flooding there and in other parts of the country, I am very aware of the hardship and loss they have suffered. I am glad to have the opportunity to place on the record of the House my personal sympathy and concern as well as that of the Government for the victims of the flooding. I certainly am thankful there was no loss of life because in Newcastle West in particular, there was some danger of this.

It is only by seeing the situation at first hand, as I did when I visited Newcastle West and a number of other locations that also experienced severe flooding, that it is possible to get a full sense of the hardship and worry flooding causes. The Office of Public Works and I are acutely aware of the impact of flooding and we are committed to doing all we can to alleviate it through the provision of defences to best practice standards to reduce existing flood risk and by taking steps to prevent the creation of future risk. This is not the time to go into detail on those matters as time is limited and the topic under discussion is the flooding in Newcastle West and the surrounding area, as well as in Athea.

This summer has seen unprecedented levels of rainfall occur in many places. It has been estimated that the rainfall that fell on Newcastle West would be expected to occur once in 650 years, although I should qualify that by stating that experts caution that the degree of confidence that one can have in such an extreme statistic is very limited. The chairman of South Tipperary County Council, who was brought up in Newcastle West as a boy, told me there was a flood, albeit not as serious as the most recent event, back in 1947.

Deputy Tom Sheahan

That was the year in which Cavan played Kerry in New York.

Deputy Martin Mansergh

It is beyond doubt, however, that the rainfall over the area on the night of 31 July and 1 August was several times greater than the highest level that would be expected and that in turn produced a flood in the river far beyond the normal probabilities of occurrence. The River Arra, which flows through the town, is part of the River Feale catchment and is therefore maintained on a regular basis by the Office of Public Works. Prior to the flood it had been maintained in 2006 and would have coped comfortably with the normal rainfall for the area. The rainfall on the night, however, was, as I noted already, far beyond the norm. As a result, the flood was not contained within the river walls and banks, thus causing the devastation that is now well documented. The OPW has carried out further maintenance works on the channel through the town to remove any debris or vegetation that might impede flows in the river in future flood conditions.

The OPW also has commenced a detailed analysis of the 1 August flood event with a view to identifying options that might reduce the likelihood of flooding. The findings of the study recently commissioned by Limerick County Council on the flooding will be taken into account in this analysis. The aim of the analysis would be to ensure the town has the level of immunity from flooding that would generally be provided by the OPW's flood relief schemes. This would provide protection from flood events of a severity that would be expected to occur once in every 100 years. Preliminary analysis has indicated that there may be stretches of the channel where this level of protection is not available at present. If this proves to be the case, my office will work with Limerick County Council to have the necessary works carried out, provided these are acceptable on economic and environmental grounds. I will endeavour to ensure that, notwithstanding the current difficult financial and economic conditions, funding will be available to allow works to proceed as soon as possible.

I am conscious that in addition to the trauma caused by the flooding, people also suffered financial loss arising from the damage caused to their property. The Department of Social and Family Affairs has responsibility for providing humanitarian assistance where it is considered appropriate and is providing help through the community welfare officer network to victims of the recent flooding. It is hoped that since Newcastle West has not experienced flooding in recent memory, most of the losses sustained by victims will be covered by insurance. However, people who are suffering hardship should contact the local community welfare officer for assistance and each case will be dealt with confidentially and on its merits. Recent humanitarian assistance schemes have not extended to cover business or agriculture.

I assure the House that the Office of Public Works will continue to work in partnership with Limerick County Council to try to alleviate the risk of future flooding in Newcastle West and the surrounding areas. OPW officials already have attended meetings of Newcastle West Town Council and a public meeting in the town to give information to councillors and the public on the position. The OPW will continue, through the council, to make relevant information available and in particular will work to try to ensure Newcastle West is protected from a flood that has a 1% probability of occurrence and therefore has the same level of protection as other areas of the country at risk from river flooding.

I should also state that the OPW is aware of the flooding that occurred in Athea, County Limerick, on the same day as the flooding in Newcastle West. The flooding did not occur from a channel for which the Office of Public Works has responsibility but notwithstanding this, the OPW did provide assistance to the council with the clean-up after the event.

I conclude by again expressing my sympathy to the victims of the flooding in Newcastle West and surrounding areas——

Deputy Tom Sheahan

That is not much use to them.

Deputy Martin Mansergh

——and I assure them of my support for the work that is already under way to provide reassurance to them regarding risk in the future.

Irish Coast Guard Service.

Deputy Tom Sheahan

I wish to share time, with the indulgence of the Acting Chairman, with Deputy Deenihan and Deputy McHugh. I will take four minutes and Deputy Deenihan will take two minutes.

Acting Chairman

I hope Standing Orders will allow it.

Deputy Jimmy Deenihan

They do.

Acting Chairman

The Deputy has saved me.

Deputy Jimmy Deenihan

It is clear.

Deputy Tom Sheahan

A Minister of State, Deputy John McGuinness, recently called for 8,000 redundancies in the public service and many can be taken from the Department responsible for the marine. They should start at the top. In 2003, Deputy Dermot Ahern was Minister responsible for the marine and he said on 17 July of that year that he would close Dublin Coast Guard station and expand those at Valentia and Malin. On 21 October 2003, the Minister announced in the Oireachtas the closure of Dublin coastal radio station and the expansion of both Valentia and Malin coastal radio stations.

In the intervening five years, the Civil Service has set about undermining this announcement by the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, in several ways. We have heard about the Fearon report but there is no such thing. It is an amalgamation of statements, assumptions and assertions from Kirwan, Livingstone and Mullen. It is a prime example of what the Minister of State, Deputy McGuinness, was talking about — the Civil Service telling the Minister what to do, the tail wagging the dog.

I have no ill-will towards the Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey. From studying the available facts, including times and dates from the past five years, it seems civil servants have made themselves the judges of their own case and cause.

In 2003, the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, stated in the Dáil that the station in Dublin would be closed and those in Malin and Valentia would be expanded. Since then the civil servants have set out to scupper that announcement. If senior civil servants manage to get their equipment installed in Dublin, they will have succeeded in accomplishing a complete reversal of Government policy. The policy as announced by the Minister in 2003 stated that Valentia and Malin Head stations would be expanded and the Dublin station would be closed. The policy has not been changed and proof of that comes from the Ceann Comhairle, a south Kerry man, and Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher, who was Minister of State at the time.

If the equipment goes into Dublin, the station's future is secured and the future of both Valentia and Malin will be jeopardised. This is a perfect example of what the Minister of State, Deputy McGuinness, referred to recently and what led another Minister of State, Deputy Dick Roche, on "The Week in Politics" on RTE last Sunday night, to remark that the service resembles Humphrey from the satirical comedy "Yes Minister".

If this is allowed by Government, what else is happening behind the closed doors of various Departments? Staff at both Valentia and Malin believe the west coast station is only a smokescreen to allow a single centre to be set up in Dublin, which is what those civil servants wanted from the beginning. If the station in Dublin is operational they will find reasons for not progressing the west coast station, just as they found reasons to close Valentia and Malin.

Acting Chairman

If you are sharing time, you should now conclude.

Deputy Tom Sheahan

Surely the Government cannot allow this activity to succeed.

Acting Chairman

I thank the Deputy.

Deputy Tom Sheahan

I am not finished yet.

Acting Chairman

The time is nearly up.

Deputy Tom Sheahan

In the Fearon amalgamated report, it is stated that members of staff will not have to leave their present stations at Malin or Valentia. I put it to the Minister of State that if the report is implemented in its present lay-out, whereby there will be a station in Dublin and Shannon, with Malin and Valentia continuing as they are, over the next 15 years there will be a cost of €50 million on aggregate. This will go to paying the people and running both those stations, which will be doing nothing.

The senior manager of the British Coast Guard station, Mr. Jim Patton, has described Valentia as the finest station he has seen in the UK or Ireland. It is the fourth largest in the British Isles.

Deputy Joe Carey

Hear, hear.

Deputy P. J. Sheehan

Hear, hear.

Acting Chairman

Just over four minutes remain in the slot and Deputy McHugh is trying to facilitate Deputy Deenihan.

Deputy Joe McHugh

Yes.

Acting Chairman

I will try to be flexible.

Deputy Joe McHugh

This debacle is a microcosm of an Ireland full of contradictions and a Government that has presided over a failed decentralisation programme. The Government is trying to go into two of the most remote parts of this island and dig out civil servant jobs. It is unprecedented and is a detachment from common sense. It shows the Government has little evidence of prudence or leadership.

Any time during the past 15 years when a decision had to be made, the Government hired a consultant. With regard to the future of the Irish Coast Guard, we commissioned Deloitte & Touche at a cost of €140,000 of taxpayers' money. It came up with a very specific recommendation, which was to keep the two stations at Valentia and Malin Head, build on existing capacity and work with the two stations. Now, however, everything has changed. Internal judgments have been made by a handful of civil servants making allegations of inadequate infrastructure, ESB supply, broadband and amenities, but these have been flatly and roundly refuted by experts throughout the country.

The central element of this debate concerns saving lives and for over 100 years that has been the role of paid officers and volunteers at both Valentia and Malin Head. The present crews and those gone before have excelled at this job and handed down their rich experience and knowledge of saving lives. There is no good reason to change what we have but there is a good reason to keep it. It has been working, the people have been saving lives and the wheel is not broken. Why, therefore, are we considering changing it?

Deputy Tom Sheahan

Hear, hear.

Deputy Joe McHugh

There is an element of the argument that has not been articulated by the Minister or the civil servants. Speaking from a technological perspective, we could locate one centre in New Delhi if we decided to do so because of advanced communication. However, technology is not the issue, it goes much deeper. This is about respecting the sea. If the mindset of the Government disrespects communities and a way of life, how in the name of God will it respect the sea? It is that simple.

This is not a parochial issue concerning just Kerry or Donegal. We live on an island that has been manned by two stations — ten years ago Valentia and Malin Head manned these stations on their own. Malin Head worked in conjunction with Belfast coast guard station and has intrinsic links with it. Internationally, Malin Head station has links with Ayr in Scotland and Valentia has intrinsic links with Spain. It is an international issue that we are trying to pull apart, a network of knowledge, familiarisation and experience with the sea.

Will we open a new centre on the west coast in an urban location? Will we introduce academics, people with masters degrees and PhDs, to it? Is the plan to give away the link with coastal communities, fishermen and people who know the sea? Computers cannot take account of tidal flows which are sometimes erratic. The knowledge and experience of people living on our coastline is needed.

The Minister for Transport, Deputy Noel Dempsey, is a conscientious man who fears lives will be lost if we do not change. If, however, he chooses to change the system, lives will be lost.

The Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, is responsible for the Office of Public Works. Does he want to preside over the procurement of more lands and the construction of a new centre in Limerick when next Tuesday's budget will make cutbacks in other Departments? Will the vital link with the people who know the sea be broken? Will we rely on those who learn about the sea from books? The issue at stake is one of maintaining communities and saving lives. Does the Government want to place lives in jeopardy? I do not believe that is the case. It is time it showed leadership rather than allowing civil servants take a hand at them by producing nonsensical documents.

Deputy Jimmy Deenihan

On Sunday last, on RTE's "Six One News" an excerpt from "The Week in Politics" was broadcast in which the Minister for bad news, the Minister of State, Deputy Dick Roche, announced the co-ordination centres at Malin Head and Valentia would be phased out and staff would not be replaced as they retire. He also stated two new centres would be established in Dublin and Shannon, respectively. On Monday, the director of the Coast Guard gave verbal indications to staff in Dublin that there would be another centre at Shannon and two other centres would be phased out as staff retire. No notification was given to staff in Valentia and Malin Head or their families. The absence of a warning has caused great distress and confusion among staff and their families.

Without staff, who will man the new centre? Who will control the west coast and what will the staff at Malin Head and Valentia do? If it is still intended to use the Malin Head and Valentia centres to co-ordinate while the facility at Shannon is being phased in, will they continue to operate obsolete equipment? A decision to upgrade the Valentia and Malin Head Coast Guard co-ordination centres with new equipment was taken five years ago by the then Minister for Transport, Deputy Dermot Ahern. The failure by management of the Irish Coast Guard and the Department of Transport to replace this obsolete equipment has placed the lives of mariners at risk.

Clearly, those who made the decision to phase out the centres at Malin Head and Valentia have never worked in a co-ordination centre. They have no idea of the practical operational implications of reducing the number of Coast Guard stations and have based their decision on information which has been proven to be false. It is wrong, for example, that the facilities in question lack staff and have poor communications, ESB infrastructure and local facilities.

Value for money is an important issue in the current climate. The decision on the Malin Head and Valentia centres will result in a building, including equipment and infrastructure worth millions of euro, being left idle in Shannon for years until staff in the other two stations have retired. Given that radio equipment will remain in the buildings in Valentia and Malin Head, additional costs will be generated as it will be necessary to route back to this equipment from Shannon. In addition, the new staff in Shannon will not include senior experienced radio officers to mentor and coach them over time. This does not ignore their induction training.

The local knowledge and experience built up over decades at Valentia, which is vital in co-ordinating the appropriate timely response in any incident throughout the Valentia division, will be lost to the country. The Valentia station co-ordinates to a distance of 200 miles west.

The Minister of State will, I believe, fully appreciate the importance of the Coast Guard stations in Malin Head and Valentia. The decision to phase out these centres will have devastating repercussions for local communities. It should be feasible using modern technology to locate a centre anywhere. If it is possible to locate a facility in Dublin, why not improve the centres in Valentia and Malin Head?

Deputy Tom Sheahan

Before the Minister of State responds, I ask him to forget about the report by Fearon, Kirwan, Livingstone and Mullen. Policy should be based on the independent Deloitte & Touche report of 2003.

Deputy Martin Mansergh

I am pleased to have this opportunity to speak on the subject of Valentia and Malin Head Coast Guard co-ordination centres. I am familiar with both parts of the country and respect the service the centres have provided. While I understand the passion of the Deputies opposite, I wish to set out the current position with regard to proposals which have been reported.

The Deloitte & Touche study carried out in 2002 on the Irish Coast Guard provided a backdrop for ongoing improvements and developments in the Coast Guard over the past six years. A number of recommendations are strategic, including reducing the number of rescue co-ordination centres from the current three to two enhanced centres. The most economical option identified by the consultants was one single co-ordination centre to run the entire country, with a reserve centre nearby, which could be quickly activated if the main centre was out of commission and would also double as a training facility.

Deputy Tom Sheahan

That is not true. The Deloitte & Touche report did not say that.

Deputy Martin Mansergh

The need for strengthened resilience in the event of a severe localised incident, which could make the one centre and its close by reserve centre inoperable, has led to the focus on a two centre operation. The consultants suggested three possible scenarios. These were to build two new centres, to use and upgrade one existing centre and build one new centre or to use and upgrade two of the existing centres. These are the options under consideration and no decision has yet been finalised on this matter.

The Irish Coast Guard of the Department of Transport provides for marine emergency management, including search and rescue, ship distress and pollution response. Central to this function is the Coast Guard's ability to receive and respond to emergency calls through its co-ordination centres. However, key equipment is dated and in urgent need of replacement. The Minister has given approval for the process of investment in a new integrated communications system and tenders have been invited.

Deputy Joe McHugh

A decision has been made.

Deputy Martin Mansergh

No. I suggest the Deputies hear me out. As I will repeat when I conclude, the options are under consideration and no decision has been finalised on the matter. I am explaining the thinking and options.

Deputy Joe McHugh

The Minister of State indicated there would be two sets of equipment. One cannot tender for two sets of equipment if a decision has not been made.

Deputy Tom Sheahan

Is the second set for Malin Head or Valentia?

Acting Chairman

I ask the Deputies to allow the Minister of State to continue without interruption. Standing Orders preclude me from allowing debate.

Deputy Martin Mansergh

Changing the Coast Guard configuration to a two centre operation will require that both centres have the capability to carry the entire country's needs for protracted periods. This means a significant increase in the size, organisation and facilities needed in a marine rescue sub-centre, its buildings and support facilities.

What is envisaged is a modern, efficient and flexible national co-ordination centre in line with best international standards to meet our needs for the 21st century. None of the current centres is currently up to this challenge and solutions are needed.

Deputy Tom Sheahan

I refute that statement. A senior manager of the British coast guard, Mr. Jim Patten, who visited the Valentia co-ordination centre, stated it was the best such centre he had ever visited.

Deputy Martin Mansergh

Yes, but it may still not be perfectly up to the challenge of the 21st century.

Deputy Tom Sheahan

How can the Minister of State make that statement given the view expressed by a senior manager of the British coast guard?

Acting Chairman

Order, please. There is no provision for debate.

Deputy Martin Mansergh

Does Deputy Sheahan want to listen to me?

Deputy Tom Sheahan

How can the Minister of State claim that none of the current centres is up to the challenge?

Acting Chairman

My obligation is to protect the Minister of State. I ask the Deputy to allow the Minister of State to proceed.

Deputy Joe McHugh

A decision has been made.

Deputy Martin Mansergh

Would the Deputies like to show common courtesy and hear me out?

As the House will be aware, there has been considerable debate on the subject in the intervening years. Installation of new communications equipment at MRCC Dublin is at an advanced stage of planning. A decision on the west coast location will, as I have indicated, be made shortly. It will be aimed at improving the overall quality and efficiency of the key public service.

Deputy Tom Sheahan

Without staff.

Deputy Martin Mansergh

There may be confusion in the public mind——

Deputy Joe McHugh

This is unbelievable.

Deputy Martin Mansergh

——on the work done in co-ordination centres and that undertaken by local volunteers.

Deputy Joe McHugh

It is a joke.

Deputy Martin Mansergh

No lifeboats or Coast Guard rescue teams are being moved as a result of this process. A significant element of local knowledge comes from the local Coast Guard units and lifeboat crews strategically positioned all around the coast. Their local knowledge of tides, currents, bays and local historical incident locations is invaluable to the Coast Guard watch officers at the centres. Neither do the recommendations involve any diminution in radio coverage or the extent of radio receiving and transmitting equipment. No matter what decision is taken, all existing sites, including those at Malin and Valentia, will be retained as radio sites.

Deputy Joe McHugh

All this amounts to is that the last man out at Valentia and Malin can switch off the lights.

Deputy Tom Sheahan

It will cost the Government €50 million, on aggregate, over the next 15 years.

Acting Chairman

Please allow the Minister of State to continue without interruption.

Deputy Martin Mansergh

I strongly deprecate the notion of conspiracy theories attacking the minds of civil servants.

Deputy Shane McEntee

I bet the Minister of State does.

Deputy Tom Sheahan

There is no conspiracy.

Deputy Martin Mansergh

Decisions, in principle, taken at one time——

Deputy Tom Sheahan

The Minister of State's colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy McGuinness, did this.

Deputy Martin Mansergh

——may be revised at a later time without requiring conspiracies to explain them.

Should the decision be made to move from Malin or Valentia——

Deputy Joe McHugh

That should read "when"; there is a typo.

Deputy Martin Mansergh

——options for keeping existing staff running their current watches from their existing stations will be developed in order to fully utilise the professional knowledge of staff operating from their current locations. In effect, this will mean electronically linking their current watches with the west coast centre——

Deputy Tom Sheahan

Is that the one at Shannon?

Deputy Martin Mansergh

——in order that they can continue to stand watch and have their knowledge and skills available to the mission controllers. No officer will be forced to move or lose his or her job.

Deputy Tom Sheahan

From where will staff be got?

Deputy Martin Mansergh

I again confirm that the Minister expects a decision to be taken shortly and that the House can be assured that the extensive range of views——

Deputy Joe McHugh

This is an absolute disgrace. It is no wonder people have lost faith in politics.

Deputy Martin Mansergh

——and representations made to date will be considered.

Deputy Joe McHugh

The Government is treating members of the public like fools.

Deputy Tom Sheahan

It is a joke.

The Dáil adjourned at 9.45 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Thursday, 9 October 2008.