Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin (Wicklow-Wexford, Sinn Fein)

The Courtown-Arklow Coast Guard unit does incredible work on the Wicklow-Wexford coast and put their lives at risk to protect others. The least they deserve is proper and safe working conditions in a modern workplace in the form of a new Coast Guard station. A total of 23 men and woman had been working out of a 10 ft by 20 ft room in Courtown using the same sink for making tea and coffee as they do to wash up after an incident. They had no toilets, which is unbelievable. Thankfully, they have now been allowed to use the local parochial house on a temporary basis. However, they urgently need a new base. There is a new Coast Guard building strategy. For several years now, the Department and the OPW have been talking about potential new sites for a Coast Guard station in the Courtown area. With this new building strategy, Coast Guard members and I would like to know if the work that is being carried to date on potential sites in Courtown is still valid or will new market trawls be carried out? How long will the process take? If there is nothing available on the market, will it progress? How long will the OPW wait to see if property comes on stream? The plan is to move to a modular style building for cost effectiveness, efficiency and value for money. Has the modular design been finalised? If not, what can we expect to see in a final design? There are all these questions. Planning permission for an upgrade to the Arklow station has been in for over one year now. People in the Arklow area are asking if it has gone out to tender. When are the works due to begin? Has a contractor been appointed?

Tonight, we have highlighted the dangerous working conditions that exist for those in our Coast Guard and rescue services. Twenty-four hour shifts are being under-recorded around Ireland's coastline, resulting in extreme fatigue and safety concerns, which is a reckless approach by the State to peoples' lives. It is unbelievable. The State is simply not valuing our Coast Guard, which does this lifesaving work in really bad working conditions.

My colleagues have been outlining the reasons why we are seeking fair and safe working conditions for our Coast Guard and rescue services staff and why we tabled motion in order to stand up and protect those who protect us. I ask the Government to support the motion in full and to ensure the safety of our Coast Guard and search and rescue staff around the island of Ireland.

See this speech in context