SEANAD Eireann is to
hold a debate before Christmas on the planned
closure of Malin Head as a Marine Rescue
Co-ordination Centre.
Sinn Féin Senator Pearse Doherty said the house had
finally "woken up" to the realities of the
Government decision to close the Malin Head and
Valentia centres and create two new marine rescue
bases. |
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It also emerged
yesterday that Transport Minister Noel Dempsey has
agreed to meet with islanders in Valentia over his
decision to close down their coastal radio station.
“When I first raised this issue at the beginning of
November in the Seanad it was dismissed. I raised |
it again, and as late
as last week the leader of the Seanad stated that
there would be no job losses as a result of this
decision," said Senator Doherty.
“However I welcome that the Seanad has now woken up
to the realities of the relocation for workers and
now there appears to be cross-party support on the
issue opposing the decision of the Minister for
Transport to relocate the two centres."
Senator Doherty said the "impending job losses"
would have serious consequences for the two rural
communities involved.
“It is also worth noting that this relocation
decision is a reversal of a commitment given in 2003
by the then Minister that these two centres would be
developed, leading to an increased number of
employees.
“It does not make sense to build two new Marine
Rescue Co-ordination Centres when we already have
two. They just need to be upgraded and the cost
involved would be minimal in comparison to building
two new centres," added Senator Doherty. |
