Vol. 511 No. 5
35 Ms McManus asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources when he will establish the coast guard service as promised in the review of An Action Programme for the Millennium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24743/99]
The matters relating to the development of the Irish marine emergency service, as a national coast guard service are being considered at present. Work is in progress on the preparation of legislation, a marine emergency service Bill, which would give the service a firm legislative base and statutory duty of responsibility for all activities associated with the discharge of its remit. This includes search and rescue in maritime and inland waters, responding to oil pollution, monitoring and control of threats to the marine environment, salvage and wreck response and safety awareness.
A departmental group, modelled on the principles of partnership and consisting of staff, unions and management has commenced the assessment of the recent expenditure review of IMES and will identify the necessary organisational and service delivery changes which might arise with a view to maintaining and enhancing the high quality provision of search and rescue and pollution response in our marine and littoral areas in the context of the establishment of a coast guard.
