Michael Smith
Ceist:1 Mr. M. Smith asked the Minister for the Marine the plans, if any, he has to improve the air/sea rescue services, particularly night-time operations. [17491/95]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rescue Services.
The terms of the question imply that there are deficiencies in coverage, operation or the management of our search and rescue services. It has been claimed in particular that access to night flying capability on the east coast is inadequate.
I have to refute these criticisms and I hope the House will indulge me if I take a little time to do so. I want to make a number of general statements first and then address the Carrackatine tragedy, the issue of the east coast and the unfortunate fatality at Howth Harbour on 16 November.
Our search and rescue resources are as good as any in Europe and, in many cases, far better. We have dedicated men and women whose job it is to be available on a 24 hour basis to man our helicopters, fixed wing aircraft and our lifeboats as well as to conduct searches of our coastlines in the event of marine emergencies. The search and rescue effort they represent and the dedication and professionalism they bring to bear in carrying out their task has to be a matter of both pride and comfort to us all. Their lives are often at risk and this has to be constantly a matter of concern in the deployment and management of search and rescue resources.
I am re-examining the whole search and rescue plan. Perhaps this will show that we need to deploy more resources in order to achieve some improvement in coverage. However, I am satisfied that the current deployment of resources and particularly their state of readiness and their on-the-spot management by the Marine Emergency Service is well up to international standards in terms of coverage, equipment and response times. The essential ingredients for the success of search and rescue operations are not only the volume of resources but also their management in terms of readiness and location. On all these criteria, our search and rescue capability will stand up to the closest scrutiny.
I wish to refer to the two recent tragic incidents in Donegal and Howth. On the Donegal search, it is essential that we understand the huge scale of the search operation. I understand it is the largest in terms of deployment of aircraft, vessels and people, as well in terms of the area covered, which the Marine Emergency Service has undertaken. I can promise that it will go on until the tragic accident is fully accounted for, if that is technically feasible. I again express my sympathy and concern to the families of those currently lost at sea.
The tragic loss of life at Howth has given rise to the question as to whether this fatality could have been avoided. The question is put as to whether a search and rescue helicopter based in Baldonnel could have been on location in sufficient time.
Perhaps this could have been the case; naturally, the closer an incident is to a helicopter base, and a helicopter is regarded as required, the better the chances of a rescue in certain circumstances. This applies all over the country; for instance, an incident in Clew Bay will be as far away from Shannon or Finner as Howth is from Anglesey; equally, an incident near the Old Head of Kinsale will be the same 65 miles from the nearest helicopter at Shannon.
Thus, I hope the House will appreciate that Howth on the night in question had as good a coverage from Wales as many locations, where significant fishing and other marine activities occur, have from Irish based craft. Even if we had a helicopter in Rosslare, as some have suggested, we may well have tasked the Anglesey based craft for reasons of proximity. Ultimately this will always be a decision for the mission of coordinator.
There are no borders in search and rescue. States provide assistance to each other. We have regularly been asked to deploy our helicopters in UK search and rescue areas. In recent times we have been so requested more often than we have sought assistance from the UK. In fact, since June 1992 we have been asked to give helicopter assistance to the UK search and rescue areas on 54 occasions; the UK has been asked to assist us on only six occasions.
The nature, deployment and management of the search and rescue resource has to be kept under constant review. I have asked my Department to address the issue of east coast coverage in a review of availability and deployment of search and rescue resources generally. I have also asked the Air Corps to evaluate the feasibility of a 24-hour dedicated search and rescue helicopter being based at Baldonnel. I will keep the House fully informed of these two initiatives.
Yesterday I ordered investigations to be carried out, under the Merchant Shipping Acts, into the two recent casualties involving sea fishing boats off Donegal and at Howth. The Howth investigation will be conducted by Captain B. McGrath, Marine Surveyor at the Department of the Marine. The Donegal investigation will be conducted by the Deputy Chief Surveyor at the Department of the Marine, Mr. Séamus McLoughlin, with assistance from other staff members.
The purpose of these investigations is to establish the cause of the casualties with a view to preventing similar recurrences. The findings will be published, subject to the normal legal considerations.
I am also considering, as a separate matter, how best the general issue of the safety of the fishing fleet should be reviewed and I propose to have early discussions with representatives of the fishing industry and my marine safety advisers in this regard.
I welcome the Minister's comprehensive reply. I do not propose to exploit the recent human tragedies. The Minister indicated that he will review the search and rescue service to ascertain if additional resources are required. Is it true that maintenance works on the five Dauphin helicopters must be carried out outside the country? Is it not possible to grow the expertise here where a faster turnaround and cheaper arrangements would result? In such circumstances four rather than three of the five helicopters would be constantly available to provide coverage. I pay tribute to the men and women in the Air Corps, the Navy, the rescue services and civilians for their efforts. They risked their lives to save others on many occasions, we are all proud of them.
I thank Deputy Smith for his kind words about the marine emergency services. We all have great respect for the voluntary efforts of all those involved, especially those involved in coastal rescue services. It is my understanding that normal day-to-day maintenance work on the Dauphin helicopters is carried out locally but they are sent to France for major refits. I will check to make sure that is the case.
I am informed that an 11-month turnaround time was required for one of the Dauphin helicopters sent to France for repairs. That is too long a period for such special equipment to be grounded.
I cannot confirm if that is correct but I will check the information. I am sure we have the expertise to carry out maintenance work but the helicopters are usually sent to the manufacturers in France for major refits.