asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he has any plans to improve air-sea rescue service on the north-west coast.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Air-Sea Rescue Services.
1.
I have no reason to believe that the air-sea rescue services for the north-west coast are in any way inadequate, having regard to the volume of shipping traffic in the area, but I am having the position kept constantly under review The Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre, now located at Shannon Airport, co-ordinate marine rescue efforts, including the north-west coast. To increase the search and rescue capacity provided for the centre by the helicopters and fixed wing aircraft of the Air Corps, an additional helicopter will be available, on stand-by for utilisation mainly in west coast areas.
Is the Minister aware that there is no lifeboat service available for this section of the coast, that there is no service between Arranmore in Donegal and the Aran Island? In the last few years there have been a number of very serious accidents and it is necessary to have some form of rescue service available in the area.
I should prefer it if the Deputy did not elaborate too much on this matter.
I am so aware. At the moment the establishment of a new lifeboat service in County Mayo is being investigated.