Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 170: To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the widespread concern throughout the north west at proposals to downgrade the station at Malin Head, County Donegal; if he will carry out a reassessment of such plans with a view to maintaining and enhancing the services available there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27630/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I want to assure the Deputy that I am aware of concerns expressed relating to the change of Coast Guard functions that I recently announced for Malin Head Marine Rescue Coordination Sub Centre as part of the enhancement of the marine emergency response capability in Ireland. There is no suggestion that Malin (or indeed, 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. The precise nature of their long-term function has yet to be finalised.

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.

The details of the reorganisation are as follows. 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 under way.

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.