asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he has any proposals for the provision of more effective life-saving and sea-rescue services on the north-west coast of County Mayo.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mayo Sea-Rescue Services.
16.
Mr. J. Lenehan
I would refer the Deputy to my detailed reply on 26th February, 1970, to previous questions on this subject in the course of which I gave details of the organisation and operation of the sea-rescue services. The services are co-ordinated through the marine rescue co-ordination centre at Haulbowline. The various rescue agencies upon which the centre can call include the Coast Life-Saving Service, the Air Corps, the Royal National Life-Boat Institution, the Coast radio stations at Malin Head and Valentia and the Commissioners of Irish Lights. I have no reason to believe that the services for the north-west coast of County Mayo are in any way inadequate for the volume of shipping in that area.
I am aware that there have been two recent incidents involving fishing vessels in distress off the north-west coast neither of which, fortunately, involved loss of life. Arising out of these incidents the general question of the safety equipment aboard fishing vessels is under review in my Department.
Mr. J. Lenehan
I did not hear a single word of the reply but arising out of it I should like to say——
Has the Deputy a question?
Mr. J. Lenehan
Yes. The Minister must be as well aware as I am of the position on that coastline. In view of the fact that there are now between 60 and 100 fishing vessels operating off the coast and from 20 to 25 aircraft going out every morning and returning later and in view of the fact that it is quite possible that any one of these aircraft can go down in the sea at any hour and that any of the boats can go down and there are no rescue facilities of any description available, can the Minister——
Question No. 17.
Mr. J. Lenehan
I am sorry, Sir. I am just as much entitled as the Opposition to ask supplementary questions. They have had four-fifths of the time in this House for the last three months.
The Deputy may not make a long speech.
Mr. J. Lenehan
I am asking a question. I am asking the Minister if in view of this he is prepared at this stage to provide a better rescue service than that which at the moment could not take a mouse out of a saucer of milk if he fell into it. The Minister knows that. I am asking him to do something,
(Interruptions.)
Question No. 17.