Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Before I respond on this issue, I would like to divert slightly and endorse the view expressed earlier by Deputy Humphreys. I support the proposed development of a plaza around College Green. If we were to develop a Luas service there and ban cars from the area and, possibly, construct a tunnel underneath, it could be a fabulous space. We have preferential shares in Bank of Ireland which we could perhaps exchange for the building in due course.

Turning to the substantive issue, I thank Deputy Joe McHugh for raising it. Value for money reviews of the Coast Guard and marine surveying functions of my Department have identified a number of issues which need to be addressed in Ireland's maritime transport safety and marine emergency response regimes. They include enhancing Ireland's pollution preparedness and response capability; improving Coast Guard volunteer training and management; addressing deficiencies in legislation relating to maritime safety and addressing various measures to promote greater efficiencies within the services.

I informed the Government in July that I would consider the Fisher reviews in detail and prepare an action plan to address the deficiencies identified. When I published the reviews in July, I made it clear that I would not accept or reject any of the recommendations made until a full assessment of the proposals had been undertaken and actions prioritised to address the issues identified as requiring attention. In publishing the reports I emphasised that preparing the action plan provided a valuable opportunity to create more efficient and effective maritime safety regulatory arrangements and emergency response services. At the same time, it is important to recognise that resources available to the maritime services are very limited and have to be deployed on a prioritised basis and as effectively and efficiently as possible to address the most urgent needs. The action plan is nearing conclusion and I expect to return to the Government in the coming weeks.

One aspect of the review which has attracted significant interest is that of the future of the co-ordination centres at Dublin, Valentia and Malin Head. There has been considerable interest in this matter. I appreciate that in seeking to protect local services passions can overflow. However, I was disappointed by the treatment of officials of my Department at a recent meeting of the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications. While most of those in attendance, including Deputy Joe McHugh, engaged constructively on the matter, contributions from a small number of members were deeply unfair and unjustified. I express my disappointment and disdain at the conduct of these members who embarrassed themselves and all of us, as parliamentarians.

In my Department's review of the Coast Guard and marine survey office services all options had to be considered. This necessarily included looking at whether the current configuration of co-ordination centres was appropriate and whether changes to it would deliver greater efficiency. This was all within the context of the expenditure and human resources constraints under which my Department operates. However, following careful consideration of the various options available, I will be proposing that the three centres remain open and that none be closed. Rather, through the utilisation of the most modern communications and IT infrastructure across a single national Coast Guard network, I will be proposing that the three centres be more closely aligned and integrated. Therefore, the current structure of three Coast Guards centres at Dublin, Malin Head and Valentia will continue to provide the current service but will be required to deliver new efficiencies in how these services are provided. External consultants are undertaking work on the details to assist in the preparation of the action plan.

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