Pat Breen
Question:52 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans to augment the sea rescue services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25769/04]
View answerThursday, 21 October 2004
Questions (72, 73)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:56 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has satisfied himself regarding the adequacy of the sea rescue services; his plans for the future in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25772/04]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 56 together.
The Irish Coast Guard of the Department has responsibility for the provision of the air and sea search and rescue service in this country. The resources available to the coast guard are continually monitored to ensure that they are adequate to enable it to discharge its remit. The service is provided through co-ordination of helicopter operations and of a number of other declared resources.
The current coast guard air and sea rescue helicopter service is provided by means of contractual arrangements, entered into with a specialist company in this field. It includes 24-hour, all-weather cover at three bases, Dublin, Waterford and Shannon, and a 12-hour service at a fourth base, Sligo. Adequate backup is provided to Sligo from the other three bases, as may be required, thus ensuring complete cover. The coast guard expects that the Sligo base will provide a 24-hour, all-weather cover in early 2005.
Other declared resources operating in search and rescue coverage include: the coast guard's three radio service stations at Dublin, Malin Head and Valentia Island; 54 coast guard coastal units, of which 12 also provide boat coverage and 20 provide a cliff rescue service; nine community inshore rescue service units; and 42 RNLI lifeboat stations. The outdoor lifeguards who provide coverage for beaches, the Civil Defence, the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, and Dublin Fire Brigade are also declared resources. The coast guard has liaison agreements with its declared resources and also agreed operational procedures.
Additional resources on which the coast guard can call should the need arise are the Naval Service, Air Corps fixed-wing CASA, for air assistance in search, guidance of helicopters to rescue areas and radio communication relaying when operating far out to sea, harbour tugs and launches. The coast guard has close co-operation with the UK coast guard, both providing and receiving assistance, as the need arises.