Marine Safety.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 October 2004

Thursday, 21 October 2004

Questions (75)

Jack Wall

Question:

54 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will rescind the decision to close the Dublin and east coast marine rescue co-ordination centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25672/04]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Gallagher)

The decision to transfer the services of the marine rescue co-ordination centre from Dublin was taken on foot of a study of the coast guard undertaken by independent consultants, Deloitte & Touche. Reflecting advances in modern communications technologies, the consultants recommended that the coast guard should operate two control centres as opposed to the three centres that exist at present. This approach will have the effect of achieving significant cost savings, thus enabling other elements of the coast guard service to be developed, which in turn will lead to further improvements in our marine emergency response services nationally.

The objective is that the remaining two centres at Valentia and Malin Head will be developed to handle all emergencies around our coast, on inland waters and in relation to mountain, cliff and cave rescue. Communications technology today is such that the geographical location of the co-ordination centres is less important now than in the past and, in this context, Government policies on decentralisation from Dublin are also relevant.

The capability of the coast guard to co-ordinate and manage incidents should not be diminished as a result of the closure of the Dublin rather than the Valentia or Malin Head centres, nor will the decision affect the very significant emergency response resources on the ground, which will remain available to the coast guard on a year-round, 24-hour basis.

Coast guard management is continuing to examine all issues relating to the operation of the two centres going forward, including establishing what measures will be necessary to effect a smooth transfer from Dublin to the other two centres while ensuring that full co-ordination capability is maintained at all time.