asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport the plans, if any, to set up a Coast Guard Search and Rescue Service in this country.

The system of marine search and rescue in the State involves a number of rescue agencies, whose activities in any marine emergency are co-ordinated by the Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre at Shannon Airport. The agencies are: The Naval Service, The Air Corps, The Coast Life Saving Service, The Coast Radio Stations at Valentia and Malin Head, and a number of port radio installations, The Garda Síochána, Shannon Air Rescue Co-ordination Centre (if aircraft are in distress in maritime areas), The Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

In addition, shipping in the vicinity of a casualty and in a position to assist, can be called upon by the centre.

These various agencies provide a reasonably comprehensive marine rescue service and there are no plans for the introduction of any services at present. The arrangements are, however, subject to regular review to ensure that they meet prevailing needs as fully as possible within the constraints of the resources available.

Is the Minister in a position to say whether there is any hierarchy of command knitting together the various agencies he mentioned with specific reference to the coast guard search and rescue service and whether there are any full-time personnel at any level employed specifically in the context of the coast guard search and rescue service?

Yes, co-ordination is done at the marine rescue co-ordination centre at Shannon Airport. It is operated by air traffic services on a 24-hour basis.

With respect, that is not the answer I wanted. Are there people specifically with the exclusive job of monitoring the coast guard and rescue service as opposed to people who might be doing other jobs and might in the course of their work be the recipients of calls for such service?

These are the specific people who are in that area.

They are not exclusively on that job?

It is part of their function.