Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I appreciate the difficult circumstances in which the team in Doolin is working. There are 45 coastal units around the State. The Department has a programme in place to provide new stations or extensions and refurbishments to existing ones. In the past 12 months I have had the pleasure of opening many of them. It is not that Doolin is not high on the priority list. The Deputy is correct as the Doolin unit was listed as a priority location for a new station house as far back as 1998. As I have explained, there was a problem in securing a site. It would be wise for us to give the OPW and the IRCG an opportunity to negotiate with the landowner with whom they are in discussions. I hope the matter can thus be brought to a conclusion. We were at an advanced stage last year when a question of confidentiality was raised. The less we say about this matter the better. The Deputy referred to a site that is available and if he wishes to give me this information privately I will be pleased to take it on board and advise the coast guard and OPW accordingly.

I am anxious to provide a modern station at that location. As I come from the north-west coast, I realise only too well the number of missions carried out by all the units throughout the country. These units give their time voluntarily and the least we can do is provide them with modern facilities because they are working in very difficult circumstances. Even if the site were procured today, it would be unwise for me to put my political future on the line by stating that it would be finished by next June. This is taking into account lead-in time, transfer of land, planning permission issues and other matters. I will do my utmost to ensure that the negotiations are brought to a successful conclusion and I will not be found wanting at that stage.

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