Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Irish Coast Guard staff and volunteers are no longer allowed to use their blue lights and sirens because of a directive issued to them. This is despite the fact that they are part of the blue-light services which respond to emergencies and their vehicles are fitted with them. Last year, they conducted over 1,100 missions and saved over 400 lives. This directive could have a serious impact on Coast Guard staff. As they are not allowed go at high-speed, the only mechanism they have to alert other motorists of an emergency to clear the road is their blue light. There is no record of any Coast Guard emergency vehicle being involved in or causing a road traffic accident of any description.

To have this ludicrous decision reversed, will the Taoiseach agree to meet with the relevant parties to give them a forum to raise their concerns about this directive? I had hoped to raise it with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, but he is not here.

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