Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 256: To ask the Minister for Transport the status of the Malin Head and Valentia coast guard radio stations and the plans for their future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26004/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish Coast Guard and Maritime Administration of my Department at present operates three manned Co-ordination Centres at Dublin, Malin and Valentia. The equipment at these locations is dated and in need of replacement. As part of continuing investment in improving maritime safety a tendering process for a new Integrated Communications System equipment for delivery and commissioning in 2009 is underway.

This will provide for a two-centre operation, geographically separated. Each centre will be equipped and manned in such a way that if one centre ceased to operate the other could take over the maritime emergency management of Ireland for the required period. The Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) and the Marine Emergency Room will be transferred from Dublin and co-located with a new HQ for the Irish Coast Guard and Maritime Administration in Drogheda. The second national centre, a Marine Rescue Sub Centre (MRSC), will be in an urban or near urban location on the west coast.

There is no suggestion that Malin or Valentia will be closed or be disposed of as Irish Coast Guard locations. The Stations will be retained as part of the Coast Guard infrastructure and some operations will continue to be delivered from these locations although the precise nature of their long-term function has yet to be finalised. The quality of the marine emergency response capability in Ireland will be enhanced by the provision of the new equipment and premises as outlined above.

The background to this development is that following the transfer of the maritime transport functions to the Department of Transport on 1 January 2006 my predecessor asked officials to review arrangements for the delivery of these services. As part of this review the needs of each of the rescue co-ordination units were finalised with a view to undertaking the necessary investment, training, development and re-equipping work.

The process of migrating from the present situation to the new developments will be planned and implemented in consultation. That process will take account of the safety needs of local communities, and ongoing improvement of the service to the public and the concerns of individual staff members.