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Fearon challenged on Malin Head findings 04.07.08

THE AUTHOR of a "factually inaccurate" report that has put the future of Malin Head Coast Guard as a marine rescue co-ordination centre in jeopardy will have to prove his case, according to local Senator Cecilia Keaveney.
John Fearon, an assistant secrecretary in the Department of Transport, appeared on Wednesday at a meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Transport Committee.
Staff from Valentia and Malin Head travelled to Dublin for the meeting.
Senator Keaveney questioned Mr Fearon on the validity of what was contained in his report to Minister Dempsey.
“Minister Dempsey is awaiting the second report from Mr Fearon. It is important to me that it is more factually accurate than the last one would appear to have been. Indeed the time lag between reports has, 
John Fearon
I feel, assisted in the Malin Head facility being advantaged by a number of developments in recent years.
"The people of Inishowen believe what is not broken should not be fixed. This adage has survived many generations and still remains a very wise reasoning," said Senator Keaveney after the meeting.
Mr Fearon told the joint hearing that while the Department was pressing ahead with prioritising the issue of the east coast facility, the decision for the west was now not the priority for decision.
Senator Keaveney added: "Speaking to Mr Fearon after the meeting he confirmed that tenders have been sought for four station points for Malin Head to link it to the second ICS. He stated that the existing staff will be retained in their current jobs both at Malin and Valentia.
"The Transport Committee have indicated that they now wish to discuss the outstanding issues with Minister Dempsey and indeed Mr Fearon himself was asked to come back to the committee by correspondence with clarifications and evidence to support answers given in the course of the two hour session today," she added.
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