David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the amalgamation of coastguard units and in particular units (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54096/12]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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A Value for Money (VFM) review into the operation of the Coast Guard identified a number of issues which need to be addressed in Ireland's maritime transport, safety and marine emergency response regimes, including in relation to the support and development of the Coast Guard Units manned by volunteers.

The review recommended consolidating the overall number of Volunteer Coast Guard Units into forty two units from its current forty nine as some Units were located too close to each. This adjustment does not envisage any reduction in the overall number of volunteer members, nor enforced retirement of currently serving volunteers. Significantly, the review recommends retention of the existing geographical base of volunteer membership of the Coast Guard. My Department is currently developing an Action Plan in response to this and other issues which were raised in the VFM review on the Coast Guard, and a related VFM on the Marine Survey Office. I will be seeking Governmental approval in the coming weeks for this Action Plan. In relation to the amalgmation of Coast Guard units, while there may be merit on the basis outlined within the VFM review, I will not be proposing to Government to force Volunteer Coast Guard Units to amalgmate against the wishes of the volunteers themselves. Any such amalgmation would only be on the basis that it was supported by the membership of both units.

With regard to the Volunteer Units in Ballycotton and Guileen, they are very close to each other, approximately ten miles apart, and the Coast Guard managment is considering how the local Coast Guard serives might be developed through bringing the two Units together. All Coast Guard teams are shoreline search units and are also equipped with modern blue light emergency response vehicles. In addition, Ballycotton is also a highly specialised Cliff Rescue Unit. The Coast Guard recognises the importance of retaining a vibrant Cliff Rescue facility for east Cork coupled with a Shoreline Search unit in the coastline area between the east side of Cork Harbour and Knockadoon Head.

Coast Guard management are consulting with the two units with a view to developing an amalgamation plan supported by members of both Units that retains the existing geographical membership base. Should this result in the successful amalgamation of the two units it would afford existing and new members from the Guileen area an opportunity to develop additional skills in Cliff rescue and facilitate the development of a fit for purpose building serving the combined needs of the area. A single Cliff Rescue and Search Unit would provide for an enhanced capacity to provide a more effective life-saving response in the area coupled with an increased capacity to support  the other statutory land based emergency services.

However, as outlined above and as I have discussed with the Deputy previously, Volunteer Units will not be amalgmated against the will of the membership of those units. In the case that the Volunteer Units in Ballycotton and Guileen do not see merit in an amalgmation, then it will  not be forced upon them.