Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 253: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will guarantee that Shannon is no longer being considered as a possible site for a new Coast Guard station. [44692/08]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 254: To ask the Minister for Transport the position regarding Malin Head Coast Guard station; if he will downgrade the Coast Guard services currently provided from the station; if he will upgrade the technology and infrastructure at the Coast Guard station; if he will build a new Coast Guard station at a new venue on the Irish coast; if he will provide Coast Guard services from the existing Coast Guard stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44693/08]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 255: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has made a decision on the futures of Malin Head and Valentia Coast Guard stations; the nature of this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44717/08]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 256: To ask the Minister for Transport the stage the decision-making process relating to the futures of Malin Head and Valentia Coast Guard stations is at. [44718/08]

Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 257: To ask the Minister for Transport the stage the decision-making process relating to the futures of Malin Head and Valentia Coast Guard stations is at. [44719/08]

Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 258: To ask the Minister for Transport if he made a decision on the futures of Malin Head and Valentia Coast Guard stations; the nature of this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44720/08]

Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 259: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will confirm that Shannon is no longer being considered as a possible site for a new Coast Guard station. [44721/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 253 to 259, inclusive, together.

I recently announced that the Government, having considered the matter fully and taken into account the various views expressed has decided to retain the present configuration for the delivery of Marine Rescue Co-ordination. This is based on a Marine Rescue Co-ordination centre in Dublin and two Sub Centres at Malin and Valentia.

The need to urgently upgrade the existing equipment has been recognised and the purchase of three Integrated Communication System (ICS) cores at a cost of approximately €2.5 million has been approved. One will be located at each centre.