Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Senator for raising this important matter. I am giving this response on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Dempsey. The Irish Coast Guard of the Department of Transport has the responsibility for the provision of the air and sea search and rescue in Ireland's search and rescue region, and marine pollution and casualty response in Ireland's marine pollution responsibility zone.

Search and rescue services in Ireland are provided through a combination of Irish Coast Guard emergency services and services provided by a number of charitable and voluntary organisations dedicated to search and rescue which are declared SAR resources to the Irish Coast Guard. The principal air and sea rescue declared resources in Ireland are the Irish Coast Guard all-weather helicopters based at Dublin, Waterford, Shannon and Sligo airports, which include two back-up helicopters. These SAR helicopters are contracted to be airborne within 15 minutes between 7.30 a.m. and 9 p.m. and within 45 minutes between 9 p.m. and 7.30 a.m. There are 56 coastal and inland waterway coastguard units, which include 20 cliff rescue teams and 22 boat teams, 20 all-weather and 21 inshore RNLI lifeboats and nine boats of Community Rescue Boats Ireland. Coastguard units can assemble within ten minutes and RNLI lifeboats and community rescue boats launch within ten minutes.

Medico Cork, the marine pollution response team and the marine fire response team based at Dublin are other resources declared to the Irish Coast Guard. We also draw on resources from the Commissioners of Irish Lights and the Department of Defence and are in the process of agreeing formal service level agreements with these organisations. Discussions with the Health Service Executive are at an advanced stage for the provision of a paramedic rapid response unit for transport by the coastguard helicopters. The Department is reviewing the options to ensure emergency towing vessel capacity is available to protect the coast from the consequences of major oil pollution or vessel stranding.

The Irish Coast Guard co-ordinates all maritime search and rescue operations, including those services provided by the previously mentioned charitable and voluntary bodies. It also ensures appropriate equipment, facilities, personnel and training are in place among its many declared resources. Coastguard rescue co-ordination centres and a nationwide communications network are manned and equipped to receive distress calls and co-ordinate the response to incidents on land, around the coastline, inland waters and sea areas within its areas of responsibility for search and rescue, and casualty and pollution response. The Irish Coast Guard constantly evaluates its resources and risks and actively responds to ensure the necessary level of service and response is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks of the year.

The Minister recognises that the challenges facing the Irish Coast Guard continue to change. The Irish Coast Guard undertakes ongoing training and re-equipping. He is satisfied that the strength of the air-sea rescue services is appropriate and that the arrangements in place compare favourably with best international practice.