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Malin Head may be pitted against
Valentia
04.04.08
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MALIN HEAD Coast Guard
Station is in a three-horse race to become the main
marine rescue co-ordination centre for the west,
it's been revealed.
A Department of Transport statement seen by
InishowenNews.com yesterday said: "The review of
locations is currently underway and the
possibilities have narrowed to a choice between a
site in the Limerick/Shannon area or Malin or
Valentia". |
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This would mean that
staff at Malin Head Coast Guard who are close allies
of Valentia in the face of Government plans to
downgrade both, may now be pitted against their
Kerry colleagues as the Department of Transport
reaches its final conclusion.
The official statement, which appears to have been
withdrawn shortly after its issue, said one centre
on the west coast of Ireland would be "capable of
meeting |
our international
obligations well into the future".
It goes on: "Synergies with the UK and Northern
Irish Coastguard are currently under discussion at
an official level with the hope of improving our
inter-operability and increasing contact at an
operational level.
"The Coast Guard will continue to provide any
assistance to the Northern Ireland Coastguard when
requested including the use of the Coast Guard
helicopters at Dublin and Shannon and our Coast
Guard and RNLI lifeboat teams."
The statement said that any futures changes to the
current status quo would have "no adverse impact on
the ongoing close cooperation between the Irish
Coast Guard and the Northern Ireland Coastguard of
the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)".
It stated: "Coast Guard restructuring that is being
worked on is aimed at improving the overall quality
and efficiency of a key public service where
considerable public investment is planned over the
next few years," concluded the statement.
A local petition is ongoing to save Malin Head Coast
Guard as a marine rescue co-ordination centre. If
you would like to add your name please do so at
wesupportu@inishowennews.com |
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