Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael)

I do not wish to take away from the question, but the Minister touched on the marine sector. There is an issue about the use of personal beacons as opposed to EPIRBs, emergency position indicating radio beacons, with which I know the Minister is familiar. There seems to be some resistance in this regard. Perhaps he might investigate the Department's attitude to moving towards the use of personal beacons rather than EPIRBs, particularly for inshore boats. We all remember the yacht which overturned. The EPIRB did not go work because the yacht did not sink. The personal beacons activated the emergency services. Perhaps the Minister might consider that issue.

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