Council ‘delaying’ coastguard station plan

A LOCAL authority has been accused of continuing to drag its feet over a new headquarters for one of the country’s busiest coastguard teams.

The Doolin coastguard unit’s current building is prone to flooding and cannot house a rescue boat.

Clare TD Joe Carey has accused the county council of “not being more accommodating” to the rescue organisation.

The unit covers a wide area of north and west Clare and their expertise is often sought by other rescue organisations in the region. The team is also responsible for Inis Oírr, the smallest of the Aran Islands.

The existing 150-year-old base has no toilets, changing rooms or showers for the 25 local volunteers.

Last May, the Office of Public Works lodged plans with the council for a state of the art €1.9 million coastguard station.

The campaign for a new base has continued for 12 years. A decision on the application was expected at the end of June but the council has put the plan on hold, requesting further information. One of the issues blocking progress was whether a foreshore license was required to accommodate rainwater running off the station’s roof.

Mr Carey said the delay was disgraceful.

“It’s disappointing that the planning department of Clare County Council would not be more accommodating towards the development of the Doolin Coastguard station. It’s essential that this project receives the green light from the planning authority without delay.

“The conditions which the Doolin Coastguard currently work under are nothing short of scandalous with no proper place to store equipment, no proper changing facilities, no toilets or showers and no proper place to lay-out recovered bodies.

“Successive governments have dragged their heels on this issue with regards to funding. Local government must not be allowed to do the same in terms of planning permission. The county council exists to service the needs of the local population and I cannot think of a greater need than ensuring a coastal county has an adequate coastguard service. In my view, a project of this type should be fast-tracked. What’s going on is disgraceful.”

A site close to Doolin pier has been earmarked for the development.