Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 March 2018
528. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his position articulated during a debate in Seanad Éireann on 15 February 2017, that there is no need to place the Irish Coast Guard on an additional statutory footing still remains the same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13836/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra529. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for his comments made during a debate in Seanad Éireann on 15 February 2017, that legislating for a voluntary group would give rise to very complex matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13837/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra530. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to concerns expressed by the volunteer element of the Irish Coast Guard regarding its legislative standing; if he has received correspondence in relation to same; if he has received meeting requests from members of the Irish Coast Guard in relation to this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13838/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 528 to 530, inclusive, together.
On 15 February 2017 as a Commencement Matter in the Seanad, I comprehensively addressed the matter of Coast Guard Services, raised by Senator Keith Swanick, particularly Senator Swanick's proposition that the Coast Guard should be designated as a stand-alone primary response agency. I advised at that time that it is difficult to identify any the benefit or added value for legislation, or clearly identify what the purpose of any legislation would be, to establish a stand alone Coast Guard. I have not heard any compelling arguments to convince me otherwise in the meantime. The Coast Guard is functioning very effectively as a Division of my Department and its role is supported through various legislative instruments.
Legislating for a stand alone agency is an inherently complex task and the volunteer dimension of the Coast Guard's activities adds to that complexity. Volunteers are not, as individuals, bound by employee or contract law and offer their services freely on a voluntary basis. In my address to the Seanad, I cited the example of the Civil Defence Act, which does not contain any provisions in respect of its large volunteer force. My records show that I last received an external representation concerning legislating for the Coast Guard in May 2017. I have had no recent representations from volunteers on the matter.
