Mr. Brian Spain:

We train personnel in the Coast Guard service. On training, it is becoming increasingly difficult to train volunteers to FETAC standards, which are increasing all the time. We support the increase in standards but it is becoming increasingly difficult to train volunteers to what are essentially professional standards. This is a concern among all volunteer organisations.

The by-product of this is that because of their training, many Civil Defence members can go on to careers in the HSE, particularly in the ambulance service and the fire service. There are benefits to it also.