Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 126: To ask the Minister for Transport, further to Parliamentary Question No. 449 of 20 April 2010, if he will outline the decision that his Department has made on this matter; if the Malin Head Coast Guard station upgrades will be made in 2010 or in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22495/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The testing of the installed Integrated Communications System (ICS) and the training for Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) staff has commenced. The ICS system is expected to be live by July. The dual operation of the new and old equipment in the Dublin centre will last for at least a four-week period, after which the MRCC function will transfer building later this year. The equipment for Malin and Valentia Marine Rescue Sub co-ordination Centres has been delivered to the Coast Guard Stores and will be activated as soon as possible. It is important that the current ICS systems in Valentia and Malin are not changed until Dublin is complete and connected to all radio sites so that the required redundancy is available. The Office of Public Works report on the adaptation of the buildings in Malin and Valentia to take the new configuration is awaited. It is anticipated that subject to funding work will commence on one of the Centres in late 2010 and on the other building in 2011.