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

While I welcome the commitment given by the Minister on this issue, I have not made up the concerns to which I allude. Many of my party colleagues, particularly Deputies who represent coastal constituencies, have been contacted by Irish Coast Guard volunteers, among whom there are palpable fears. I understand Irish Coast Guard volunteers are authorised officers under the Pollution Acts, 1991 to 2006, and the Merchant Shipping Act 1993 and that their appointment depends on a decision by the Minister. The legal advice available to me is that their position lacks grounding in the body of the relevant legislation and that this is creating fear in communities about the survival of the Irish Coast Guard service. The Irish Coast Guard is the only voluntary service which is not recognised in statute. While I accept the Minister's bona fides in this matter, will he alleviate the current fears about the Irish Coast Guard service by placing it on a more statutory footing?

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