Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Irish Coast Guard Volunteers Representative Association here. Indeed, I and others looked for this opportunity for them to come before the committee. It is great they have managed to come in and give a strong presentation.

I attended the launch of their organisation in Kilkee in August last. I want to remember the late Ms Caitríona Lucas who was remembered on that day as well. I also want to remember those lost in Rescue 116 and Rescue 112 who Mr. O'Mahony made reference to earlier on in his opening statement.

I got a sense that the Irish Coast Guard Volunteers Representative Association was a national organisation. In terms of its membership, I met people that day from Galway, Kerry, Waterford, Clare and Cork. Could the witnesses give us a sense of how many members they have in their association, where they come from and, generally, what brings them together?