Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 18 November 2021

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport

Irish Coast Guard: Discussion

Photo of Joe CareyJoe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There are widespread bullying and harassment claims being made throughout the country. I have met volunteers past and present and there is a very low ebb. Morale is at rock bottom. Problems that emerged in Doolin have been allowed to fester unchecked for many years. That unit has been taken off the board. Mr. Clonan has to step up and recognise there is a problem and that what is there at the moment is not working. These people in these units in communities volunteer their lives on a 24-7 service and give of their time but they feel they are being stonewalled, not listened to by management, bullied and harassed. We now see the establishment of an independent representative organisation for volunteers. I think the Coast Guard should recognise it, engage with it and listen to it. I have met people from Waterford, Cork, Kerry, Clare and Galway who are involved in this and they all have the same message. They are really concerned about an organisation they love. They see it falling apart before their eyes. They are screaming for this to stop. All they want is proper engagement. I do not believe that is there. It is not delivered through an advisory group, which is what the Coast Guard has at the moment.

There are 12 volunteers in Doolin. They are highly committed people. They want that unit back on the board. They can do it. What is the precedent for stepping them down? Has the Coast Guard stepped down other units with 12 fully competent people who are able to deliver services on the ground? All the time they are off the board, they lose their skills and cannot train. They cannot keep their competency level up. That is the reaction of the Coast Guard. I absolutely welcome the appointment of an independent mediator. Everyone in this room has advocated for that to happen and I wish Kieran Mulvey well in that difficult task. What precedent has the Coast Guard used previously to step down a unit with 12 fully trained and competent people who want to do the job? What precedent was used to step down that unit? Will Mr. Clonan please answer?

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