I propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 11, 12, 16, 24 and 27 together.
The interdepartmental committee on the deployment of search and rescue helicopters was established in June 1988 to consider the implications of and to make recommendations as regards the deployment of search and rescue helicopters. Their report, which was presented to the Minister for Defence and myself in October 1988, put forward a number of options for improving search and rescue helicopter coverage within our area of responsibility. The interdepartmental committee had taken into consideration the relevant recommendations made in the report of the west coast search and rescue action committee, presented to the Minister and me in September 1988. The question of helicopter coverage was also considered by the Irish Marine Search and Rescue Committee who advise the Minister on a continuing basis in relation to search and rescue matters.
With the advice of all relevant interests secured it became clear that the deployment of search and rescue helicopters. could not be considered in isolation from the overall strategy for dealing with distress incidents within our region of responsibility and should take account of facilities provided by the various search and rescue agencies. In this regard our search and rescue system has undergone considerable change in recent years. The rejuvenation of the marine radio communications programme has expanded our VHF network considerably and its completion is expected before the end of the year. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution carried out a review of their services late last year as a result of which some restructuring of their operations is taking place. The Institution have already re-equipped some of their stations with modern craft and recently announced plans to establish a new main station at Ballyglass, County Mayo. My Department's coast life-saving service, the Valentia unit of which operated so effectively during the recent incident involving the motor fishing vessel Big Cat has also been progressively modernised in recent years and further improvements will take place in the near future. The airstrip at Finner, County Donegal will have its navigation equipment upgraded to permit night operation of search and rescue helicopters there.
So far as the Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre is concerned, both high frequency and very high frequency aviation communications equipment have been made available to the MRCC thus effecting a direct communications link between the centre and rescue aircraft and helicopters. This equipment worked extremely well during the course of recent incidents. A direct and dedicated data communications link between the MRCC and the coast radio stations at Malin and Valentia has been ordered. These initiatives form part of a programme aimed at providing a more efficient information network between State search and rescue agencies.
The Government considered, therefore, in view of the changing capabilities of our search and rescue services and the considerable upgrading and modernisation of the facilities provided by each component organisation in that system, that an in-depth review of our search and rescue arrangements was required and they have now established a review group on air sea rescue services. The group members are: Mr. Eamon J. Doherty, Former Commissioner of the Garda Síochána, Chairman; Mr. T. M. Boyd, Chief Executive, Commissioners of Irish Lights; Mr. Francois Benda, European Commission; Col. Patrick A. Cranfield, Group Commander, Air Corps, Baldonnel; Mr. Gerry Hickey, Principal, Department of Finance; Cdr. John Kavanagh, O/C LE Eithne, Naval Service; Mr. Patrick Keating, Deputy Director, Aviation and Marine Communications Service; Mr. Clayton Love, Vice-President, Royal National Lifeboat Institution; Captain James L. McDonald, Coastguard Attache, United States Embassy, London, Ms. Deirdre O'Connor, Principal, Maritime Safety Division, Department of the Marine, Mr. Dick Richards, Ex-Regional Controller, HM Coastguard, Swansea and Mr. Niall McCutcheon, Assistant Principal in my Department, who will act as secretary to that committee.
The review group have been asked to examine the structure and the operation of the air sea rescue services and to make recommendations to ensure a cost effective and efficient service to meet national and international requirements and to report at the earliest possible date. While it will be a matter for the group I expect that the group will examine the operations and capabilities of each of the component organisations in the system, including the Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre, the Air Corps, the Coast Life-Saving Service, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and the coast radio stations and recommend any possible improvements. I do not wish to tie the group to a precise date for submission of a report but I am confident that the matter will be examined with maximum speed.
To date both current and capital expenditure relating to the State's search and rescue services has been funded by the Exchequer. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution, as an independent and voluntary body, finance the purchase and operation of their lifeboats from voluntary contributions although my Department make an annual grant of £100,000 to the institution. The possibility of securing European Community aid has been examined in the past but national search and rescue activities are effectively excluded from such funding. The Government's aim is to arrange for the provision of the best safety services possible within the resources available to them. Any adjustments which are under consideration will be determined primarily by the overall implications for safety around our coasts and within the country, and the Government intend to be guided by the advice which will emanate from the review group on air-sea rescue services.
The provision of air-sea rescue services on a contract basis by private companies is a feature of search and rescue facilities in some other countries. The review group on air-sea rescue services will, no doubt, consider that option in the course of their deliberations.
My Department received an unsolicited offer from a helicopter company to provide such a service. Their offer has been discussed with officials of my Department but no commitment has been given to contract such a service from them or from any company.