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Blaney backs Malin Head Coast
Guard
23.05.08
DONEGAL backbencher
Deputy Niall Blaney has urged the Transport Minister
Noel Dempsey not to close Malin Head Coast Guard
station.
The Fianna Fáil T.D., has appealed to his colleague
to keep the status quo at Ireland's most northerly
point and to incorporate the long-established
station, with its 18 staff, into any new structures
created for the country along the east coast. |
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His call came yesterday
on the same day as international singer songwriter
Phil Coulter appealed for the retention of the
station following a cermony to grant him the freedom
of Donegal. Coulter lost a brother in a sea tragedy
in Lough Swilly a number of years ago. He said it
was unthinkable that there should be any attempt to
remove a service with such |
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long-standing maritime
rescue expertise.
Deputy Blaney, meanwhile, appealed to Mr. Dempsey to
"defer the removal of services" from Malin Head
Coast Guard.
He said he had been contacted by a number of
concerned people in the region regarding the threat
to the service.
“I spoke to the Minister asking that he re-examine
the case for maintaining the service at Malin for
the foreseeable future," said Deputy Blaney.
“I have asked him to incorporate Malin Head
Coastguard Station into the new structures to be
established on east coast.
“I know that the prospect of losing the service from
the area has caused concern for a number of people
and I am hopeful that the Minister will now
reconsider his plans to relocate the service," he
added. |
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