Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport with reference to the review of the Marine Survey Office and Irish Coastguard Services, if he will provide an update on his ongoing work on these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52696/12]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the review of the Marine Survey Office and Irish Coastguard Services. [52695/12]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 134 together.  

Value for Money reviews into the Coast Guard and Marine Surveying functions of my Department, which were undertaken by independent consultants, identified a number of issues which need to be addressed in Ireland's maritime transport safety and marine emergency response regimes. These include enhancing Ireland’s pollution preparedness and response capability, improving Coast Guard volunteer oversight, training and management, addressing deficiencies in legislation relating to maritime safety and addressing various measures to promote greater efficiencies within the services. I have informed the Government that I will consider the reviews and prepare an action plan to address the deficiencies identified.

When I published the reviews in July last I made it clear that I would not accept or reject any of the recommendations until a full assessment of the proposals had been undertaken and actions prioritised to address the issues identified as requiring attention. This process of assessment and preparation of the action plan is in hands in my Department and I expect it will be completed shortly.

In publishing the reports I emphasised that preparing the action plan provides a valuable opportunity to create more efficient and effective maritime safety regulatory arrangements and emergency response services. At the same time, it is important to recognise that resources available to the maritime services are very limited and they have to be deployed on a prioritised basis and as effectively and efficiently as possible to address the most urgent needs.