Call for amended coastguard station report

A CALL for a new independent report on Valentia Coastguard station has been made by Kerry-based Fianna Fáil Senator Mark Daly.

He claimed information supplied by the Irish Coastguard Service to the Department of Transport’s was incorrect, namely issues relating to the ESB supply and the number of coastguard staff living in Kerry.

The report suggests closing the Valentia and Malin Head stations and opening new stations in Drogheda and the west coast, most likely Galway.

But Mr Daly claimed the Irish Coastguard Service was simply suiting its own agenda.

Meanwhile, Kerry Fine Gael Senator Paul Coghlan described controversial plans for Valentia and Malin as decentralisation in reverse.

“Valentia and Malin have a wonderful record in the service of the State as marine rescue centres where highly skilled and dedicated staff deal with serious marine incidents,” he said.

“There is nothing sub-standard about the infrastructure and no valid arguments based on electrical supply, broadband or cost effectiveness,” he said.

County councils in Kerry and Donegal have agreed on a joint campaign to save the stations and have asked Transport Minister Noel Dempsey to receive deputations.