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McHugh takes Coast Guard
fears cross border
13.03.08
DONEGAL Deputy Joe
McHugh has secured the attendance of Transport
Minister Noel Dempsey at a cross-border Good Friday
Implementation Committee meeting to debate his
proposed closure of Malin Head and Valentia Coast
Guard marine rescue centres.
Deputy McHugh said the massive downgrading of the
Malin Head station would have serious consequences
for maritime safety in Northern Ireland and
Scotland. |
He said despite this,
neither the Good Friday Implementation Committee nor
the British/Irish Inter Parliamentary Body have been
consulted on the issue.
Speaking during a Dáil adjournment motion the Fine
Gael T.D., asked: "Has the British-Irish
Inter-Parliamentary Body been consulted by Minister
Dempsey, regarding this issue? If it has, why have
members of the Body been consulted? If it has not
been consulted, the British-Irish
Inter-Parliamentary Body must be asked whether the
Scottish administration has been consulted regarding
the proposed closure |
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of the station at Malin
Head."
Deputy McHugh said downgrading the Coast Guard
Station at Malin Head undo the "good work and
capacity building" that had gone on over the years
between three jurisdictions.
“This is removing existing infrastructure,
interrelationships and interdependence, North and
South. It is a serious mistake. What external
consultation has taken place outside the Department
of Transport regarding these issues? These are
important issues that need to be clarified.
"As a member of the committee for the implementation
of the Good Friday Agreement I will be putting these
points to the Minister. I also hope that other
members will voice their concerns as this decision
has serious repercussions for everyone on the
island," added the Donegal North East deputy. |
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