Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)

This debacle is a microcosm of an Ireland full of contradictions and a Government that has presided over a failed decentralisation programme. The Government is trying to go into two of the most remote parts of this island and dig out civil servant jobs. It is unprecedented and is a detachment from common sense. It shows the Government has little evidence of prudence or leadership.

Any time during the past 15 years when a decision had to be made, the Government hired a consultant. With regard to the future of the Irish Coast Guard, we commissioned Deloitte & Touche at a cost of €140,000 of taxpayers' money. It came up with a very specific recommendation, which was to keep the two stations at Valentia and Malin Head, build on existing capacity and work with the two stations. Now, however, everything has changed. Internal judgments have been made by a handful of civil servants making allegations of inadequate infrastructure, ESB supply, broadband and amenities, but these have been flatly and roundly refuted by experts throughout the country.

The central element of this debate concerns saving lives and for over 100 years that has been the role of paid officers and volunteers at both Valentia and Malin Head. The present crews and those gone before have excelled at this job and handed down their rich experience and knowledge of saving lives. There is no good reason to change what we have but there is a good reason to keep it. It has been working, the people have been saving lives and the wheel is not broken. Why, therefore, are we considering changing it?

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