Mr. Caoimhín Ó Ciaruáin:

I will take that. I will explain who we are. I am head of the maritime services division, which is in the Department alongside the Coast Guard. We are on the same corridor. We work closely with Mr. Clonan and his colleagues. At least half of the maritime services division is essentially corporate support for the Coast Guard. We cover much of the administration and similar functions, including the financing, budgetary matters and procurement, which was just discussed.

Approximately €74 million in funding is allocated annually to the Coast Guard. Approximately 85% of that is for the helicopter contract. That figure is variable and can go up or down. Other significant expenditure items include volunteer training exercises, equipment, maintenance and renewal. Information technology is increasingly important and there is considerable investment in that. Volunteer payments are made. We pay volunteers for their time and for doing exercises, etc. They are the essential component parts.

The building programme is also relevant. Deputy Murphy asked about the capital element of the budget. A large part of the capital is for the building programme for Coast Guard units. I would describe that as lumpy from one year to the next, depending on what projects can proceed and so on. The Coast Guard works closely with the Office of Public Works on the building programme. Most of the units are part of an OPW building programme. It is a partnership.