Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome that because, as the Acting Chairman said, this a very important issue. It is not fair that any member would not have an opportunity to probe this matter. As is evident from the turnout from all hues of the political spectrum, from Kerry and Donegal in particular, there is massive interest in this matter.

I wish to ask about the need for a station in Dublin. Other countries do not rely on the concept of co-location so why is that deemed necessary here? For example, in 1985, Valentia co-ordinated the response to the Air India disaster and there was no significant intervention from headquarters in that case. Is this something that has been considered or why would Mr. Mullen say that there is a need for co-location?

I also wish to ask about equipment installation. Given that 80% of emergencies are dealt with between the Malin and Valentia stations, why was equipment fitted out in the Dublin station before those two stations given that the 2008 Fearon report stated that this equipment is subject to catastrophic failure, which in layman's terms could lead to loss of life? Why was the Dublin station prioritised? Was that part of something bigger of which we are not aware?

On another equipment-related matter, an emergency call was picked up off Galley Head and the crew of the MV Janet Roberto was rescued. In the five months prior to that rescue, I understand a distress signal could not have been picked up in that area. Why was that situation allowed to continue for five months in the later half of 2011? Also, it has come to my attention that on 14 October some of the obsolete equipment in the Valentia station failed, the Dublin station could not take control of the situation and the Malin station had to step in to take over until the Valentia station came back online. What was that situation allowed to prevail?