Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

It would be an immensely retrograde step if, as proposals from the Minister for Transport seem to indicate, the two longest established coast guard stations in the country at Valentia and Malin were to lose their rescue co-ordination functions. Apart from the difficulties for the staff involved, this smacks of centralisation as opposed to what the Government has been preaching — we supported it in this regard — in respect of decentralisation. Fine buildings exist in these locations and presumably a staff guarantee is in place. However, the Minister is creating doubt about their future. Most importantly, a consultant's report in 2002 recommended that both of these locations be upgraded. They are more than suitably located for the purposes for which they exist and I do not understand this. Will the Leader ask the Minister for Transport to attend in the House or guide me as to how this matter should be approached? It is extremely serious.

I support the call made by Senator O'Toole with regard to the planning matter raised last week. It is ridiculous that people living a few hundred miles away and known in some parts of the country as "Julys" or "holiday home merchants" can object to a proposal for a principal private dwelling of a local resident. I would greatly welcome a debate on this.