Written answers
Thursday, 28 June 2007
Department of Transport
Search and Rescue Service
5:00 pm
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 146: To ask the Minister for Transport and the Marine if strengthening or upgrading of the air and sea rescue services is required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18338/07]
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish Coast Guard of my Department manages Ireland's air/sea rescue services and I am satisfied that the arrangements in place compare favourably with best international practice. The Coast Guard co-ordinates air and sea search and rescue operations, including those services provided by charitable and voluntary organisations. It also ensures that appropriate personnel, training, equipment and facilities are in place among its many declared resources. Coast Guard Rescue Co-ordination Centres at Dublin, Malin Head and Valentia, and a nation-wide communications network are positioned and equipped to receive distress calls and co-ordinate response to incidents around the coastline and sea areas. The air and sea rescue services are kept under constant review with the object of improving and enhancing the efficiency of the systems in place.
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