Dáil debates
Wednesday, 8 October 2008
Adjournment Debate
Irish Coast Guard Service.
9:00 pm
Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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I wish to share time, with the indulgence of the Acting Chairman, with Deputy Deenihan and Deputy McHugh. I will take four minutes and Deputy Deenihan will take two minutes.
Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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I hope Standing Orders will allow it.
Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy has saved me.
Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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A Minister of State, Deputy John McGuinness, recently called for 8,000 redundancies in the public service and many can be taken from the Department responsible for the marine. They should start at the top. In 2003, Deputy Dermot Ahern was Minister responsible for the marine and he said on 17 July of that year that he would close Dublin Coast Guard station and expand those at Valentia and Malin. On 21 October 2003, the Minister announced in the Oireachtas the closure of Dublin coastal radio station and the expansion of both Valentia and Malin coastal radio stations.
In the intervening five years, the Civil Service has set about undermining this announcement by the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, in several ways. We have heard about the Fearon report but there is no such thing. It is an amalgamation of statements, assumptions and assertions from Kirwan, Livingstone and Mullen. It is a prime example of what the Minister of State, Deputy McGuinness, was talking about — the Civil Service telling the Minister what to do, the tail wagging the dog.
I have no ill-will towards the Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey. From studying the available facts, including times and dates from the past five years, it seems civil servants have made themselves the judges of their own case and cause.
In 2003, the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, stated in the Dáil that the station in Dublin would be closed and those in Malin and Valentia would be expanded. Since then the civil servants have set out to scupper that announcement. If senior civil servants manage to get their equipment installed in Dublin, they will have succeeded in accomplishing a complete reversal of Government policy. The policy as announced by the Minister in 2003 stated that Valentia and Malin Head stations would be expanded and the Dublin station would be closed. The policy has not been changed and proof of that comes from the Ceann Comhairle, a south Kerry man, and Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher, who was Minister of State at the time.
If the equipment goes into Dublin, the station's future is secured and the future of both Valentia and Malin will be jeopardised. This is a perfect example of what the Minister of State, Deputy McGuinness, referred to recently and what led another Minister of State, Deputy Dick Roche, on "The Week in Politics" on RTE last Sunday night, to remark that the service resembles Humphrey from the satirical comedy "Yes Minister".
If this is allowed by Government, what else is happening behind the closed doors of various Departments? Staff at both Valentia and Malin believe the west coast station is only a smokescreen to allow a single centre to be set up in Dublin, which is what those civil servants wanted from the beginning. If the station in Dublin is operational they will find reasons for not progressing the west coast station, just as they found reasons to close Valentia and Malin.
Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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If you are sharing time, you should now conclude.
Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Surely the Government cannot allow this activity to succeed.
Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy.
Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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The time is nearly up.
Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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In the Fearon amalgamated report, it is stated that members of staff will not have to leave their present stations at Malin or Valentia. I put it to the Minister of State that if the report is implemented in its present lay-out, whereby there will be a station in Dublin and Shannon, with Malin and Valentia continuing as they are, over the next 15 years there will be a cost of €50 million on aggregate. This will go to paying the people and running both those stations, which will be doing nothing.
The senior manager of the British Coast Guard station, Mr. Jim Patton, has described Valentia as the finest station he has seen in the UK or Ireland. It is the fourth largest in the British Isles.
Joe Carey
P J SheehanCharlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Just over four minutes remain in the slot and Deputy McHugh is trying to facilitate Deputy Deenihan.
Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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I will try to be flexible.
Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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This debacle is a microcosm of an Ireland full of contradictions and a Government that has presided over a failed decentralisation programme. The Government is trying to go into two of the most remote parts of this island and dig out civil servant jobs. It is unprecedented and is a detachment from common sense. It shows the Government has little evidence of prudence or leadership.
Any time during the past 15 years when a decision had to be made, the Government hired a consultant. With regard to the future of the Irish Coast Guard, we commissioned Deloitte & Touche at a cost of €140,000 of taxpayers' money. It came up with a very specific recommendation, which was to keep the two stations at Valentia and Malin Head, build on existing capacity and work with the two stations. Now, however, everything has changed. Internal judgments have been made by a handful of civil servants making allegations of inadequate infrastructure, ESB supply, broadband and amenities, but these have been flatly and roundly refuted by experts throughout the country.
The central element of this debate concerns saving lives and for over 100 years that has been the role of paid officers and volunteers at both Valentia and Malin Head. The present crews and those gone before have excelled at this job and handed down their rich experience and knowledge of saving lives. There is no good reason to change what we have but there is a good reason to keep it. It has been working, the people have been saving lives and the wheel is not broken. Why, therefore, are we considering changing it?
Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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There is an element of the argument that has not been articulated by the Minister or the civil servants. Speaking from a technological perspective, we could locate one centre in New Delhi if we decided to do so because of advanced communication. However, technology is not the issue, it goes much deeper. This is about respecting the sea. If the mindset of the Government disrespects communities and a way of life, how in the name of God will it respect the sea? It is that simple.
This is not a parochial issue concerning just Kerry or Donegal. We live on an island that has been manned by two stations — ten years ago Valentia and Malin Head manned these stations on their own. Malin Head worked in conjunction with Belfast coast guard station and has intrinsic links with it. Internationally, Malin Head station has links with Ayr in Scotland and Valentia has intrinsic links with Spain. It is an international issue that we are trying to pull apart, a network of knowledge, familiarisation and experience with the sea.
Will we open a new centre on the west coast in an urban location? Will we introduce academics, people with masters degrees and PhDs, to it? Is the plan to give away the link with coastal communities, fishermen and people who know the sea? Computers cannot take account of tidal flows which are sometimes erratic. The knowledge and experience of people living on our coastline is needed.
The Minister for Transport, Deputy Noel Dempsey, is a conscientious man who fears lives will be lost if we do not change. If, however, he chooses to change the system, lives will be lost.
The Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, is responsible for the Office of Public Works. Does he want to preside over the procurement of more lands and the construction of a new centre in Limerick when next Tuesday's budget will make cutbacks in other Departments? Will the vital link with the people who know the sea be broken? Will we rely on those who learn about the sea from books? The issue at stake is one of maintaining communities and saving lives. Does the Government want to place lives in jeopardy? I do not believe that is the case. It is time it showed leadership rather than allowing civil servants take a hand at them by producing nonsensical documents.
Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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On Sunday last, on RTE's "Six One News" an excerpt from "The Week in Politics" was broadcast in which the Minister for bad news, the Minister of State, Deputy Dick Roche, announced the co-ordination centres at Malin Head and Valentia would be phased out and staff would not be replaced as they retire. He also stated two new centres would be established in Dublin and Shannon, respectively. On Monday, the director of the Coast Guard gave verbal indications to staff in Dublin that there would be another centre at Shannon and two other centres would be phased out as staff retire. No notification was given to staff in Valentia and Malin Head or their families. The absence of a warning has caused great distress and confusion among staff and their families.
Without staff, who will man the new centre? Who will control the west coast and what will the staff at Malin Head and Valentia do? If it is still intended to use the Malin Head and Valentia centres to co-ordinate while the facility at Shannon is being phased in, will they continue to operate obsolete equipment? A decision to upgrade the Valentia and Malin Head Coast Guard co-ordination centres with new equipment was taken five years ago by the then Minister for Transport, Deputy Dermot Ahern. The failure by management of the Irish Coast Guard and the Department of Transport to replace this obsolete equipment has placed the lives of mariners at risk.
Clearly, those who made the decision to phase out the centres at Malin Head and Valentia have never worked in a co-ordination centre. They have no idea of the practical operational implications of reducing the number of Coast Guard stations and have based their decision on information which has been proven to be false. It is wrong, for example, that the facilities in question lack staff and have poor communications, ESB infrastructure and local facilities.
Value for money is an important issue in the current climate. The decision on the Malin Head and Valentia centres will result in a building, including equipment and infrastructure worth millions of euro, being left idle in Shannon for years until staff in the other two stations have retired. Given that radio equipment will remain in the buildings in Valentia and Malin Head, additional costs will be generated as it will be necessary to route back to this equipment from Shannon. In addition, the new staff in Shannon will not include senior experienced radio officers to mentor and coach them over time. This does not ignore their induction training.
The local knowledge and experience built up over decades at Valentia, which is vital in co-ordinating the appropriate timely response in any incident throughout the Valentia division, will be lost to the country. The Valentia station co-ordinates to a distance of 200 miles west.
The Minister of State will, I believe, fully appreciate the importance of the Coast Guard stations in Malin Head and Valentia. The decision to phase out these centres will have devastating repercussions for local communities. It should be feasible using modern technology to locate a centre anywhere. If it is possible to locate a facility in Dublin, why not improve the centres in Valentia and Malin Head?
Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Before the Minister of State responds, I ask him to forget about the report by Fearon, Kirwan, Livingstone and Mullen. Policy should be based on the independent Deloitte & Touche report of 2003.
Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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I am pleased to have this opportunity to speak on the subject of Valentia and Malin Head Coast Guard co-ordination centres. I am familiar with both parts of the country and respect the service the centres have provided. While I understand the passion of the Deputies opposite, I wish to set out the current position with regard to proposals which have been reported.
The Deloitte & Touche study carried out in 2002 on the Irish Coast Guard provided a backdrop for ongoing improvements and developments in the Coast Guard over the past six years. A number of recommendations are strategic, including reducing the number of rescue co-ordination centres from the current three to two enhanced centres. The most economical option identified by the consultants was one single co-ordination centre to run the entire country, with a reserve centre nearby, which could be quickly activated if the main centre was out of commission and would also double as a training facility.
Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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That is not true. The Deloitte & Touche report did not say that.
Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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The need for strengthened resilience in the event of a severe localised incident, which could make the one centre and its close by reserve centre inoperable, has led to the focus on a two centre operation. The consultants suggested three possible scenarios. These were to build two new centres, to use and upgrade one existing centre and build one new centre or to use and upgrade two of the existing centres. These are the options under consideration and no decision has yet been finalised on this matter.
The Irish Coast Guard of the Department of Transport provides for marine emergency management, including search and rescue, ship distress and pollution response. Central to this function is the Coast Guard's ability to receive and respond to emergency calls through its co-ordination centres. However, key equipment is dated and in urgent need of replacement. The Minister has given approval for the process of investment in a new integrated communications system and tenders have been invited.
Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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A decision has been made.
Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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No. I suggest the Deputies hear me out. As I will repeat when I conclude, the options are under consideration and no decision has been finalised on the matter. I am explaining the thinking and options.
Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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The Minister of State indicated there would be two sets of equipment. One cannot tender for two sets of equipment if a decision has not been made.
Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Is the second set for Malin Head or Valentia?
Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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I ask the Deputies to allow the Minister of State to continue without interruption. Standing Orders preclude me from allowing debate.
Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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Changing the Coast Guard configuration to a two centre operation will require that both centres have the capability to carry the entire country's needs for protracted periods. This means a significant increase in the size, organisation and facilities needed in a marine rescue sub-centre, its buildings and support facilities.
What is envisaged is a modern, efficient and flexible national co-ordination centre in line with best international standards to meet our needs for the 21st century. None of the current centres is currently up to this challenge and solutions are needed.
Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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I refute that statement. A senior manager of the British coast guard, Mr. Jim Patten, who visited the Valentia co-ordination centre, stated it was the best such centre he had ever visited.
Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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Yes, but it may still not be perfectly up to the challenge of the 21st century.
Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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How can the Minister of State make that statement given the view expressed by a senior manager of the British coast guard?
Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Order, please. There is no provision for debate.
Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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Does Deputy Sheahan want to listen to me?
Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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How can the Minister of State claim that none of the current centres is up to the challenge?
Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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My obligation is to protect the Minister of State. I ask the Deputy to allow the Minister of State to proceed.
Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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A decision has been made.
Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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Would the Deputies like to show common courtesy and hear me out?
As the House will be aware, there has been considerable debate on the subject in the intervening years. Installation of new communications equipment at MRCC Dublin is at an advanced stage of planning. A decision on the west coast location will, as I have indicated, be made shortly. It will be aimed at improving the overall quality and efficiency of the key public service.
Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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There may be confusion in the public mind——
Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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This is unbelievable.
Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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——on the work done in co-ordination centres and that undertaken by local volunteers.
Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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No lifeboats or Coast Guard rescue teams are being moved as a result of this process. A significant element of local knowledge comes from the local Coast Guard units and lifeboat crews strategically positioned all around the coast. Their local knowledge of tides, currents, bays and local historical incident locations is invaluable to the Coast Guard watch officers at the centres. Neither do the recommendations involve any diminution in radio coverage or the extent of radio receiving and transmitting equipment. No matter what decision is taken, all existing sites, including those at Malin and Valentia, will be retained as radio sites.
Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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All this amounts to is that the last man out at Valentia and Malin can switch off the lights.
Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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It will cost the Government €50 million, on aggregate, over the next 15 years.
Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Please allow the Minister of State to continue without interruption.
Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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I strongly deprecate the notion of conspiracy theories attacking the minds of civil servants.
Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I bet the Minister of State does.
Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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Decisions, in principle, taken at one time——
Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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The Minister of State's colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy McGuinness, did this.
Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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——may be revised at a later time without requiring conspiracies to explain them.
Should the decision be made to move from Malin or Valentia——
Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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That should read "when"; there is a typo.
Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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——options for keeping existing staff running their current watches from their existing stations will be developed in order to fully utilise the professional knowledge of staff operating from their current locations. In effect, this will mean electronically linking their current watches with the west coast centre——
Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Is that the one at Shannon?
Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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——in order that they can continue to stand watch and have their knowledge and skills available to the mission controllers. No officer will be forced to move or lose his or her job.
Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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From where will staff be got?
Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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I again confirm that the Minister expects a decision to be taken shortly and that the House can be assured that the extensive range of views——
Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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This is an absolute disgrace. It is no wonder people have lost faith in politics.
Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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——and representations made to date will be considered.
Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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The Government is treating members of the public like fools.