PRESSURE is mounting on
the Government to reverse its decision to close
Malin Head Rescue Centre.
Opposition politicians say the centre where 18
people are employed, is arguably the busiest in the
country with an average of 400 rescue missions
co-ordinated every year.
Staff at the centre - the oldest in Europe - were
recently told that national marine rescue services
were to be restructured and rescue co-ordination
functions at Malin Head and Valentia, Co. Kerry,
phased out.
But MEP Jim Higgins believes closing Malin Head
would be a bad move.
"On average they mount in the region of 400 rescue
missions per annum ranging from injured fishermen to
the providing medical services.
"To date this year, 343 rescue missions have taken
place.
He urged Minister Noel Dempsey to do "an about-turn"
on the decision saying closure would put lives at
risk.
Staff believed a decision taken in 2003 left them in
line for an upgrade and the appointment of more
employees.
They were advised that proposals for upgrading Malin
Head and Valentia were to be finalised mid 2005 and
in operation by mid 2007.They criticised coast guard
management for "lamely" justifying two new planned
urban locations - one in Drogheda and another in
either Galway or Cork.
A spokesperson said: "Historically Malin Head is the
oldest operating radio station in Europe. Why close
a station that has operated flawlessly for well over
100 years?
"The closing of these stations would be a major loss
of employment to Donegal and Kerry. These jobs
employ people from the marine and fishing industry,
an industry that has already been hit badly on the
jobs front." |
