Consultants retained by this Department to conduct a study of the future development of the Irish Coastguard recommended that two control centres — as opposed to the existing three centres in Dublin, Malin Head and Valentia — should be operated. Following assessment of the recommendations, it was decided to close the marine rescue co-ordination centre in Dublin and retain two centres. The present position is that the Department is considering detailed proposals as to how the two remaining manned centres will operate and it expects to complete this process shortly.
New medium frequency-high frequency, MF-HF, radio and control systems as well as a new Navtex transmission and control system will be installed at Malin Head marine rescue and co-ordination centre, MRSC, during the year. These improvements are required independently of the reduction from three to two centres.