Mr. Maurice Mullen:

A phased programme of development needed to come into play. Prior to the engagement of that programme we were in a very difficult position, as was explained. Once the programme moved forward on the phased basis, our situation improved immeasurably, as I set out, and soon that whole programme will be finished. I have no doubt that at some stage in the not too distant future, there will be the next phase of it. Similarly, we have proposals for ongoing development of equipment, communications and IT generally, and that is part of the parcel of day-to-day operations.

Senator Ó Domhnaill asked a number of questions, one of which was why money was spent on two reports rather than one. At the time we commissioned them, there was the possibility that responsibility for the Coast Guard service would be moved to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and there would have been two governing Departments when the reports might have to be addressed and implemented. However, we lined up the terms of references fully and the work was undertaken as if there was a single one in order that we would get the maximum benefit from them.

Senator Ó Domhnaill raised the issue of the relationship between the Marine Survey Office, MSO, and the Coast Guard. I have expressed to the Senator that there is a significant regulatory role and differences between one side and the other. To be clear, some of the views expressed by the stakeholders to the effect there was a lack of co-operation were simply patently untrue. There is a huge level of day-to-day co-operation that goes on between the Coast Guard, the Marine Survey Office and all other parts of the Department, as well as between the Coast Guard and other agencies of the State outside the Department, such were there to be a significant incident to be addressed, everyone undoubtedly would be pulling on the same line.