Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I do not doubt the authenticity of the concerns to which the Deputy refers, as I have also heard them. They should be allayed, however, by the response I have provided. I reassure the Deputy that, having made inquiries into this matter, they lack substance.

On the issue of whether the Irish Coast Guard lacks grounding on a statutory basis, let me spell out the reason it is sufficiently secure within my Department. Once known as the Irish Marine Emergency Service, the Irish Coast Guard was formally established in 1991 by Government decision through the creation of a new division within the then Department of the Marine. The Irish Coast Guard has sufficient powers, as a division of my Department, to carry out its functions which are augmented by various maritime legislation I have previously outlined to the House. If, at any stage, members of the Irish Coast Guard are justified in feeling insecure, I will be happy to review the position. However, I am not given to believe that is the case.

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