Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 84: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans for ensuring that Ireland has a world class national search and rescue transport system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42744/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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In March this year, my Department was involved in concluding the Irish National Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) Framework in line with current international best practice. The National Maritime SAR Framework sets out the arrangements whereby responsible parties work together to provide effective and efficient maritime and aeronautical SAR services. The Framework has been prepared both to meet domestic needs and comply with International commitments.

In addition, detailed plans for the provision of services and cooperation arrangements by the various organisations involved in the Irish National SAR are contained in Liaison Agreements and Memorandum of Understandings as well as in Coast Guard Operational Memoranda.

The Framework is now the standard reference document for use by all Irish SAR authorities working in the maritime domain and promulgates the agreed methods of co-ordination through which search and rescue operations are conducted.

Participants to the Framework include my Department, the Irish Coast Guard, the Irish Aviation Authority, the Department of Defence, the Department of Justice, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, the Fire Services and Planning Directorate, the Health Service Executive, the Irish Mountain Rescue Association, the Irish Cave Rescue Organisation, Local Authorities, Harbour Masters, Irish Water Safety, the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, Dublin Fire Brigade, Community Rescue Boats of Ireland, the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the Civil Defence, the Commissioners of Irish Lights, and the Air Accident Investigation Unit. The Framework can be downloaded from the Irish Coast Guard section of my Departments website at www.transport.ie.