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

On the complement of the team, there are currently eight members. It is difficult to comment on the numbers of the reconstituted team. Certainly, there will perhaps be 12 members of the team to start with. Currently, additional cover is being provided from Kilkee and Killaloe. Helicopter and other emergency services are also being provided.

The other recommendations of the Mulvey report are being actioned by the Coast Guard in relation to the areas outlined by the Deputy. As part of the recommendations, I have recommended an associated review of the Coastal Unit Advisory Group, CUAG, which is the official representative group of the volunteers. I have recommended that the CUAG's terms of reference, grievance, complaints and disciplinary procedures are reviewed. That was also a recommendation of the Mulvey report. I have recommended that that review is completed by the end of this month. It is absolutely critical. The CUAG members are working with the Coast Guard on that to ensure that the CUAG plays a very strong representative role, representing the volunteers of the Coast Guard. Along with my officials, I have been engaging on a regular basis with the CUAG in relation to that work.

See this speech in context