Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 256: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the status of plans to relocate the staff of the Marine Emergency Co-ordination Centre in Dublin to Valentia or Malin; and his views on the advisability of such a course of action. [37586/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Irish Coast Guard management continues to examine all issues relating to the operation of two control centres, including establishing what measures will be necessary to effect a smooth transfer from Dublin while ensuring that full co-ordination capability is maintained at all time. I am aware of concerns expressed by staff in regard to the transfer and can assure the Deputy that they will be kept fully informed of developments.

The decision to transfer the services of the Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre from Dublin was taken on foot of a study of the Irish Coast Guard undertaken by independent consultants. Communications technology today is such that the geographical location of the co-ordination centres is less important now than in the past. This approach will have the effect of achieving significant cost savings, thus enabling other elements of the Irish Coast Guard service to be developed, which in turn will lead to further improvements in our marine emergency response services nationally.

The capability of the Irish Coast Guard to co-ordinate and manage incidents will not be diminished as a result of relocation away from Dublin. I also stress that the decision will not affect the emergency response resources that are available on the ground to the Dublin region and the east coast.