Donegal North East TD, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn is to seek assurances from the Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar on the future operation of the Malin Head Coastguard Station.
Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn
It follows reports that the station may be reduced to a 12 hour service and renamed.
Deputy Joe McHugh assured Donegal Daily yesterday there were no plans to downgrade the station.
Sinn Fein’s Deputy Mac Lochlainn said “The people of the North West, particularly those living in coastal communities have repeatedly had to endure speculation about the future of the Malin Head station. This is a world class service that we are very proud of. A service essential to this region. An emergency service that saves lives all year around”.
He dded it is disturbing to learn of reports that the station may be reduced to a 12 hour service and renamed.
“I am seeking assurance from the Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar that these reports are untrue and I am further seeking assurance that the staffing numbers required to maintain a 24 hour service are achieved at Malin Head and then maintained.
“I have refrained from criticising Minister Varadkar over this matter to date as it has been my opinion that some senior officials in his department have long sought the closure of Malin Head Coastguard and Valentia Coastguard Stations and the centralisation of marine rescue services to Dublin.
“However it is now time that this agenda was quashed once and for all and the person to do this can only be the Minister himself”.
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