Vol. 491 No. 4
25 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the plans, if any, he has for improved measures to further reduce deaths from drownings and to improve liaison between the Irish Marine Emergency Service and lifeguards, particularly in view of recent tragedies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12230/98]
The recent unfortunate tragedies and loss of life to which the Deputy refers have highlighted once again the dangers associated with water activities.
My Department is responsible for the initiation and co-ordination of all maritime search and rescue — SAR — measures within the internationally designated Irish search and rescue region. The local authorities are responsible for safety on their beaches and the appointment of lifeguards.
The Irish Marine Emergency Service — IMES — of my Department has various response services declared to it as rescue facilities. These services include the RNLI, Air Corps, Community Inshore Rescue Service, IMES helicopters, IMES coastal units and IMES radio centres and the national marine communication network. "Declared facilities" are facilities which have been designated as being available for maritime SAR according to specific standards or set criteria.
