Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)

I thank the Minister of State for his response. In 2003 another serious consultancy, Deloitte & Touche, published a report which recommended that Malin Head and Valentia remain open and Dublin be closed. However, what has happened is that the Dublin centre has been sustained and upgraded, while we had to fight like tigers for Malin Head and Valentia. We will do the same again.

I welcome the recent substantial investment in Malin Head and welcome the fact the centre will reopen soon. However, I want an assurance from the Government today, or as soon as possible, that Malin Head will not be closed, as recommended here. That recommendation is causing great alarm across the north west. It is not just about having the telecommunications infrastructure, but about having local knowledge and an understanding of the culture, geography, locations and names that occur. Operators in Malin Head would understand these. The station in Malin Head is of huge importance for our region. We fought for it before and thought the issue had been put to bed forever.

We thought the investment in Malin Head was a clear signal that everything there would remain, but now we have this report. We need an assurance, as soon as possible, that the Government will not accept the recommendation to close Malin Head and will not deal another blow to the north west. We have never needed this station more and need a vote of confidence from the Government. We have had setbacks in the north west. For example, the Derry to Dublin air link was not supported by the Government and it has pulled back from the A5 project. Thankfully, however, the Northern Executive has honoured the A5 project and it will go ahead. We need no further setbacks from the Government. It has the opportunity now to do the right thing and to make it clear that Malin Head coast guard station will remain.

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