Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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259. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the Coast Guard radio stations here; if he will safeguard the future of Valentia Coast Guard radio station in view of its strategic importance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34942/14]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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In response to the publication of a Value for Money report into the operation of the Irish Coast Guard in 2012, an examination of the future operation of the 3 marine rescue co-ordination centres in Dublin, Malin and Valentia was undertaken by my Department.  In July 2013 my predecessor announced an Action Plan to further develop the coast guard services.  As part of this Action Plan the Minister announced that the 3 co-ordination centres would remain in place but would be operated on an interoperable basis to achieve important efficiencies and improvements in the delivery of the services.

As part of the development of the 3 centres new communications and IT infrastructure across a single national Coast Guard network are being implemented, and arrangements are in hand to bring the full staffing complement of radio officers in the centres up to 40, as provided for in the Action Plan.

I fully support the development of the 3 centres in line with the Action Plan. I believe that when the developments are complete Ireland’s national coast guard marine rescue co-ordination arrangements based on the 3 centres will be on par with the best in service.