Coast Guard criticises ‘failings’ of draft report

Senior management at the Irish Coast Guard has slated parts of the first draft of a report into the service which Transport Minister Leo Varadkar is using to push through major reforms and cost-cutting rationalisation, with the likely closure of Valentia and Malin Head stations.

The director of the Irish Coast Guard, Chris Reynolds, is being brought before the Oireachtas Transport Committee tomorrow to face questions on a reorganisation of the service, planned on foot of the report commissioned by the minister.

“It is my view that Chris Reynolds’s agenda is to close both Valentia and Malin Head,” said Fianna Fáil Senator Mark Daly who was instrumental in forcing the IRCG chief to appear before the committee.