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Good Friday appeal on Malin Head
13.10.08
TWO politicians from
Donegal and Derry have joined forces in calling on
the Irish Government to honour the Good Friday
Agreement and retain full coast guard services at
Malin Head.
Donegal North East Deputy Joe McHugh the East Derry
MLA John Dallat jointly declared that Strand II of
the Agreement places an onus on the coalition to
retain full coast guard services at Ireland's most
northerly point. “Malin Head has served much of the
island’s northern coastline for decades," said
Deputy McHugh.
”There are three strands in the Good Friday
Agreement. The second strand, administered through
the North-South Ministerial Council, envisages the
development of co-operation and action within the
island of Ireland. Any withdrawal of services from
Malin Head Coast Guard station would fly in the face
of that strand." |
Mr Dallat added: “The
Malin Head Coast Guard service is an example of the
North-South relationship that never causes any
trouble at all. It works because it is important for
both jurisdictions. The major Derry beaches at
Magilligan, Portstewart, Portrush and Castlerock in
my constituency have been serviced by Malin Head
Coast Guard station for decades.”
The Fine Gael and SDLP representatives went on to
say that the North-South |
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relationship envisaged
by the Good Friday Agreement could only be fully
developed if existing links between the two
jurisdictions were strengthened. "Some links have
caused tension over the years. Malin Head Coast
Guard station is a tie that brings the two
communities together," they added.
They said that the Good Friday Agreement included a
commitment to a joint North-South marine agenda
adding that Malin Head Coast Guard station and
Belfast Coast Guard station had always worked in
partnership.
"They share a common coastline. If the Irish
Government is serious about the Good Friday marine
agenda it must retain services at Malin Head.
"We have a common cause. Malin Head Coast Guard
station has economic as well as political
importance. Remote rural economies are highly
dependant on public jobs. Closure of Malin Head will
take good jobs from the area and will hurt the local
economy on both sides of the border," they added. |
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