Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 261: To ask the Minister for Transport if he is satisfied regarding the strength of the air and sea rescue services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25234/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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While I am satisfied regarding the strength of the air and sea rescue services I am always striving to improve the level of coverage available on all Irish coasts to meet growing demands both offshore and onshore and to ensure the coverage continues to meet both national and international requirements for marine search and rescue operations.

Major strides have been made in recent years in bringing the quality of resources, readiness, training and management up to a level in Ireland that is second to none in Europe at present. The Irish Coast Guard, a Division of my Department, has contracted civilian Search and Rescue helicopters, based in Dublin, Shannon, Waterford, and Sligo. These helicopters are available on a 24 hour 365 day basis for emergency response on any part of the coastline. The Coast Guard manages and operates 3 co-ordination/communication centres at Dublin, Malin Head and Valentia, remote VHF sites, voice repeater sites and 55 coastal emergency response stations providing shore coverage.

In addition to its own resources, the Irish Coast Guard has a number of declared resources available to it on a 24 hour basis all year round. These include the RNLI which has lifeboat stations around the coast and Community Inshore Rescue Service boats based in strategic locations. It can also call on the Department of Defence naval vessels and divers, the Air Corps fixed wing aircraft, the Gardai and their divers and the UK Coastguard and all vessels at sea in a marine emergency situation. In addition, many local volunteer groups, such as sub-aqua clubs assist in searches and I would like to put on record my appreciation of the work done by all those involved.

We are constantly assessing the case for improving resources, based on risk assessment by location.

Discussions are ongoing with the UK to expand the Irish Search and Rescue Region to the north-west to coincide with the Irish Pollution Responsibility Zone, which includes the ocean areas where it is the custom and practice for Irish fishing vessels and the Irish Naval Vessels to operate.

On foot of a Government decision, work has commenced on the installation of a new integrated communications system in the Coast Guard rescue coordination centres at Dublin, Valentia and Malin. MRCC Dublin will be developed into the national Maritime Operations Centre.