Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy will have been aware that the Doolin volunteer team was stood down due to concerns about the safety of its operations in the circumstances pertaining at the time. I am happy to confirm that the unit has been reconstituted on an interim basis, with a core group of volunteers who, the Coast Guard believes, can work and operate together. This follows extensive engagement by Coast Guard management with volunteers in Doolin, culminating in my appointment of Mr. Kieran Mulvey as mediator. Mr. Mulvey’s report made a number of recommendations in respect of the service in Doolin. I can advise that the Coast Guard is currently fully engaged in the process of rebuilding the Doolin unit, guided by the recommendations outlined in Mr. Mulvey’s report which was issued on 10 December 2021. The serving Doolin volunteers were advised by letter on 16 December 2021 that the previous unit had been stood down on a permanent basis, with all volunteer memberships terminated. Mr. Mulvey advised that the Coast Guard and my Department should move with immediate effect to reconstitute the Doolin unit and to reinstate those members of the unit who management in the Coast Guard believe can work and operate together in a collegiate and co-operative manner. The report advised that the reconstituted unit should be given sufficient time to develop a culture between them of mutual respect and trust. It was also recommended that, within a further period and when deemed appropriate, a further expansion of the unit should be considered to build the unit back up to full strength from local volunteers, and preferably before next summer.

I can confirm that the selection of volunteers to provide service to the reconstituted unit has been completed and those selected have been informed. Management within the Coast Guard will soon commence the process of recruitment to the Doolin unit on a permanent basis. Once the detailed arrangements for the process have been finalised, all Doolin current and former volunteers will be advised of those arrangements and the timeframes which will apply to the submission of applications. We expect to be in contact with all former volunteers in relation to this recruitment process by mid-April 2022, bearing in mind Mr. Mulvey’s recommendation to allow the reconstituted unit sufficient time to develop a culture between them of mutual respect and trust.

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