Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 4 Nov 1998

Vol. 496 No. 1

Written Answers. - Marine Rescue Service.

Alan Shatter

Ceist:

76 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in 1990 an Exchequer grant for £100,000 was paid to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and a similar amount was paid in 1997; and if he will ensure that appropriate financial recognition is given for the great work undertaken by the organisation. [21855/98]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods)

I am aware that the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, RNLI, receives an annual Exchequer grant of £100,000, which is paid from the Vote of my Department. When this year's contribution was made I personally wrote to the institution and paid tribute to the valuable and voluntary service provided by its dedicated personnel.

The Deputy will be aware that the RNLI is a charitable organisation with a strong tradition of independence and is chiefly supported by voluntary contributions from members of the public in Britain and Ireland. The annual Government grant is paid, on a no strings attached basis, in recognition of the RNLI's important role in the overall marine search and rescue network which is co-ordinated by the Irish Marine Emergency Service and which I propose to develop into a national coastguard service.

In addition to making the annual financial contribution, my Department is committed to assisting the RNLI in other ways. I have put in place a new partnership structure whereby an assistant secretary has been specifically nominated to liaise between the RNLI, my Department and the marine sector in general with a view to assisting the institution in a practical and operational sense. I understand this liaison structure is working well and that the RNLI has expressed particular satisfaction regarding progress with advancing its programme of infrastructural shoreworks.

I am at all times open to suggestions from the RNLI as to how best my Department can further assist the institution with its valuable work. Should the RNLI wish to make proposals to me in relation to any matter, including an increase in the annual grant payable, I will give them serious consideration with full regard to my overriding concern that State funds are expended to the best possible advantage in the area of our maritime rescue services.