MALIN Head has been
left reeling following yesterday's announcement that
Shannon and Dublin have been chosen as the locations
for new marine rescue centres.
There are now fears that Malin Head's marine rescue
co-ordination station will suffer "a slow death"
with the loss of up to 18 jobs.
While the Department of Transport yesterday insisted
neither Malin Head or Valentia would shut down, it's
understood neither staff retiring nor outdated
equipment will be replaced. |
Staff say the plan is a
"total reversal" of a July 2003 plan to upgrade
Malin Head and Valentia and recruit more staff for
both.
"Staff were advised that proposals for upgrading
Malin Head and Valentia were to be finalised mid
2005 and expected to be in operation by mid 2007,"
sources previously told InishowenNews.com. |
 |
They also criticised
suggestions that communications and electricity
supplies are not up to standard and also refuted
claims that it is difficult to attract staff to
Malin Head and Valentia.
Junior Minister Dick Roche last night told RTE's 'The Week in Politics' that Shannon had been
chosen for the marine rescue co-ordination centre.
"There will be a single new centre which will
replicate in very many ways what happens at the
current marine co-ordination centre in Dublin," he
said. It is understood that Dublin is also to get a
complete make-over with new state-of-the-art
equipment.
Independent Senator Joe O'Toole told the RTE show he
had "no doubt" Malin Head and Valentia centres would
eventually close.
"Ive no doubt they will be closed down. It's a west
of Ireland thing. There are only a small number of
voters and they're going to be buried along the
way," he said. |
