Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 190: To ask the Minister for Transport the position regarding the provision of a new maritime station; the number of staff that will become redundant as a result of the closure of Valentia and Malin Head stations; the provisions or plans he has to relocate such staff if necessary; the discussions he has had with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in relation to replacement employment for such staff, if necessary; the meetings he has had or is proposing to have with his EU counterparts in relation to such a decision; if the cost of the new station is to be funded by the national Exchequer or if funding is available from the EU in view of the international dimension of the new project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10794/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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It is my intention that the Irish Coast Guard and Maritime Administration will be strengthened to meet the needs of this country well in the 21st century. In relation to the west coast I have not finalised where that location should be but expect to be in a position to do so shortly. The review of locations is currently underway and the possibilities have narrowed to a choice between a site in the Limerick/Shannon area or Malin or Valentia. I want to stress that no officer will be forced to move or lose their jobs. Should the decision be to move from Malin or Valentia the possibility of keeping existing staff running their current watches from their existing stations is also under evaluation.

The Deputy will understand that the Coast Guard restructuring that is being worked on is aimed at improving the overall quality and efficiency of a key public service. The proposals will be considered in the context of the many comments I have received and also taking account of the Tánaiste's Budget Day request to each Department to undertake an efficiency review of expenditure. I have also met Government and Opposition representatives and members of local communities to discuss the issue. I have not discussed the question of the location of a station with my EU counterparts, however any new station should be capable of meeting our international obligations well into the future and these aspects are discussed at EU level. I expect costs to be met by national exchequer funding. Synergies with the UK Coast Guard are currently under discussion. I can assure the Deputy that all views expressed will be taken into account before final decisions are taken.