Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

At our budget meeting this time last year, it was confirmed that less than half of all Coast Guard buildings had IT, sanitary and running water facilities. There was a commitment to address that during the year. Has the Minister figures for how the Coast Guard facilities have been upgraded or improved in the last 12 months?

I take this opportunity to reiterate our concern, and we are due to hold a committee meeting on this, about the recent decision which prevents the Coast Guard volunteers from using the blue flashing light. We thought it was a disastrous decision. We do not know who took it. In 99.9% of instances, these people are responding to an emergency that is a time sensitive, life threatening issue. They are giving their time freely and perhaps leaving their places of work or homes. It is of paramount importance that they reach their destination in a timely manner. The decision to suspend the use of the blue flashing light was regrettable. I understand, and perhaps the Minister will correct me, that a decision has been taken to offer the members of the Coast Guard training in the use of the blue light with a view to reinstating that facility in the service. However, according to my correspondence or engagement with the Coast Guard volunteers, the Irish Coast Guard is not on the list of clients of the company that provides this blue light training. Can the Minister confirm that the decision to prevent Irish Coast Guard volunteers from using the blue light will be rescinded and that the volunteers will receive adequate training to use the blue light in future?

In addition, how has the Coast Guard building programme improved in the last 12 months?