Gerry O'Sullivan
Ceist:13 Mr. G. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Marine if he has made any approach to the EC for funding to enable adequate rescue operations to be carried out off our coasts; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rescue Operations.
The Review Group on Air/Sea Rescue Services looked at the issue of EC involvement in search and rescue. They concluded that, given the essentially international nature of search and rescue, the European Community ought to play a more active role in co-ordinating the level and distribution of resources deployed by member states for search and rescue. They noted that while there are EC funds available for fishery protection, none is available for search and rescue purposes.
I announced on 19 November 1990 that Ireland had secured EC approval of the first phase of a £34 million investment programme for its fishery protection service. The first tranche of £4.4 million has enabled the Department of Defence to order fixed-wing fishery patrol aircraft which would have a secondary role in search and rescue. As I mentioned in reply to a previous question, the Air Corps intend to make greater use of fixed-wing aircraft to locate targets so as to shorten search time and maximise the range and endurance of helicopters.
I informed this House last year that Mr. Carlo Ripa de Meana told the European Parliament that he would support the formation of a specialised fleet for sea rescue. Since his statement, however, the Commission has not tabled detailed proposals in the matter. My officials will continue to press the European Commission about this.
I take the Minister's point in relation to fishery protection, but my question relates specifically to rescue. The response the Minister got from the Commission is not very satisfactory. Does the Minister intend to make further representations to get adequate funding so that our rescue services can operate adequately?
The most recent representations made were made two days ago and the commissioner is not yet in a position to make any comments since he made the comment I quoted in my general reply. I can assure the Deputy that the commissioner will not be allowed to forget what he said and we are hoping for some action on it.
Has the Minister lobbied Commissioner MacSharry and other commissioners in Europe in relation to putting pressure on the Fisheries Commissioner to bring forward urgent proposals in relation to the matter?
As soon as we get some response from the commissioner who is responsible we will get our lobbying boots on.
Would it not be nice to prompt him in case he forgets?
Would the Minister not acknowledge that £4 million in the context of the problem is not a very generous grant from the European Community? In view of the fact that the EC is very emphatic in laying down rules, regulations and guidelines in relation to quotas and that we are rightly reminded from time to time that this is a collective resource, will the Minister agree that there should be a far greater input by way of finance to enable us to put an effective fishery protection and rescue service in place?
I regard the sum of £4.4 million as only the beginning of the development. The two fixed-wing aircraft will add considerably to fishery protection and to the search and rescue operation.