Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 158: To ask the Minister for Transport the position in relation to the provision of an emergency towing vessel service for the Irish coastline; if this matter will be progressed in cooperation with the Government of the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2810/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Emergency Towing Vessels (ETV's) are deployed to empower a State to proactively protect its coast and all maritime activities within its Exclusive Economic and Marine Pollution Responsibility Zones. The tasking of ETV's include intervention in casualty response to prevent pollution from oils or hazardous and noxious substances and damage to the environment, life or property; pollution enforcement; oil recovery; reduction of pollution costs; fire fighting; and enhancement of search and rescue services.

My Department is reviewing the options to ensure that Ireland has access to ETV capacity to protect the coast from the consequences of major oil pollution or vessel stranding. In reviewing options I also intend to include discussion with our counterparts in the UK.