Michael Bell
Ceist:31 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if he intends closing any meteorological stations.
Written Answers. - Closure of Meteorological Stations.
Emmet Stagg
Ceist:32 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if the commercialisation of the meteorological service will lead to the closure of any stations or any other restrictions on the services provided by the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 32 together.
As announced by my predecessor in reply to questions on 23 February 1989, it is proposed to close the weather observation stations at Renmore, Galway, and at Roches Point, County Cork. The decision to close the stations was taken following a review of the Meteorological Service which was carried out by senior officers of the Departments of Tourism and Transport and Finance including representatives of the Meteorological Service.
The review was wide ranging and took full account of the needs of the service in the modern environment. It made comprehensive recommendations for maintaining the general level and standard of the Meteorological Service operations, but at substantially reduced costs. The recommendations also focused on the scope for improved structures, greater use of automation, and general rationalistation with a view to achieving a more efficient and cost effective Meteorological Service. The review also pointed to the possibility of increasing revenue by means of a more commercial approach to marketing its services.
The meteorological station at Galway will be closed later this year and the station at Roches Point will be phased out by 1992. Neither station has a formal role in the dissemination of meteorological information and it is planned to install automatic observing systems in both areas so that routine climatological information will continue to be available to those who require it.
I recently announced a new commercial focus for the Meterological Service and the commissioning of a comprehensive study of the commercial potential of the weather forecasting service. My intention is that revenue earned by the service should be maximised in order to reduce the cost of the service to the taxpayer. It is not my intention that the commercial approach will lead to the closure of stations or the imposition of other restrictions; rather will it help to provide additional revenue to support the activities of the Meterological Service.