Mr. Eugene Clonan:

Deputy Catherine Murphy raised the issue of the director going to Somalia. The Irish Coast Guard is an international SAR organisation. We are part of the joint working group on SAR of the International Civil Aviation Authority and the International Maritime Organization. Both aviation and maritime aspects entail SAR. The group writes the guidelines and booklets for the worldwide audience on how to carry out SAR operations. Within the group there are opportunities for SAR personnel from more developed nations to travel to Third World countries to assist, particularly in Africa and such places. There are opportunities to assist other countries in determining how to make progress. Mr. Reynolds has gone to Somalia as part of an EU mission to help in capacity-building in SAR and security coast guard-type business.