Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I think we would all wish to be associated with the Minister's remarks about the continuing search efforts being made by a range of agencies and volunteers in the area of the crash. I had not been aware that the Coast Guard is not a statutory agency. I do not know why I did not realise this. If it became a statutory body, would there be financial implications and should we perhaps consider this in the context of next year's budget? I would not minimise a spend of €79 million, and I know it is not the entire amount spent on defence - or rather, on our coastal waters - because there is the Air Corps as well. Given that we are an island nation, what difference would placing the Coast Guard on a statutory footing make, and should we ask that funds be put in place to do so?