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Malin Head Coast Guard on the brink 06.10.08

Faux pas or done deal?

PRESSURE is mounting on Transport Minister Noel Dempsey to clarify confusion surrounding the future of Malin Head Coast Guard station.
It follows an apparent admission by Minister of State for Europe, Dick Roche on RTE television, that Shannon had been chosen as the location for the flagship West Coast Marine Rescue Co-Ordination Centre.
Whether Mr Roche made a faux pas in prematurely announcing Mr Dempsey's decision or whether his information was incorrect, has been the cause of confusion and distress in Donegal and Kerry.
The Department of Transport swiftly moved to quell the growing disquiet with a hastily despatched email to local news editors yesterday morning denying that a decision had been made.
"No decision has been taken on the location of the West Coast Marine Rescue Co-Ordination Centre despite reports on RTE yesterday to the contrary. A decision will be taken shortly on where the (centre) will be based," said the statement.
Mr Roche's apparent confirmation that Shannon had been chosen came on RTE's 'The Week in Politics' programme on Sunday. The story was flagged up in earlier news bulletins that day including the Six One News and on the RTE website. But by early evening, the story claiming Shannon and Dublin would receive upgrades, could Malin Head Coast Guard station
no longer be accessed via the website. Mr Roche also indicated that Malin Head and Valentia would be retained as part of the Coast Guard service and that no personnel would be moved out. But it is widely accepted that if the two stations don’t get upgraded, they will eventually be phased out.
Sinn Féin's Cllr Pádraig MacLochlainn and Fine Gael's Deputy Joe McHugh were in Malin Head last Friday with RTE as it compiled the story about the future of the coast guard station. Staff at the Malin Head station described their surprise at how the story later developed.
Malin Head Coast Guard divisional controller Mick McGarry yesterday said he was "taken aback" when he watched the evening news.
"We had received no official announcement and heard the story on the evening news like everyone else. We got an email this morning from the Coast Guard director telling us that no decision had been taken. That's as much as we know unless someone tells us otherwise," said Mr McGarry.
Some sources believe Mr Dempsey was due to announce his decision this week. Mr Roche's comments have now either softened the blow or added fuel to an already inflamed debate.
Deputy McHugh yesterday called for immediate clarification. Along with his Kerry colleague, Deputy Tom Sheahan, they submitted a Joint Special Notice Question to An Ceann Comhairle, Kerry-based John O'Donoghue TD yesterday, requesting Dáil business to be suspended today to allow a 20 to 30-minute debate on the Coast Guard debacle.
Meanwhile, following a meeting with Tánaiste Mary Coughlan in Donegal Town yesterday, Senator Cecilia Keaveney said she received clarification that no decision has been taken regarding Malin Head.
"The situation in relation to the Coast Guard in Malin Head is unchanged from the meetings that were held with the relevant officials prior to the summer. There is to be a decision taken in the near future but contrary to recent reports, the Tánaiste and Minister Dempsey’s office have both confirmed to me that there is no news yet," said Senator Keaveney.
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