Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

I wonder whether Senator MacSharry was a little harsh, but he may have been well intentioned. I agree with the Cathaoirleach's remarks and will abide by them.

I second Senator O'Toole's slight amendment to the Order of Business regarding the inclusion of Nos. 14 and 15.

I wish to mention the issue of Valentia Island and Malin Head. Valentia is the oldest Coast Guard station in the country and it has given a tremendous service to the State over the years. The highly skilled staff there has a great record in dealing with serious marine incidents and what is being mooted flies in the face of Government decentralisation policy. The suggested relocation is not needed; if anything is needed it is new equipment. There are no arguments relevant to this matter in respect of ESB supply, broadband or cost-effectiveness as Mr. Tadhg O'Donoghue, the former chairman of the ESB, demolished such arguments.

The former Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Dermot Ahern, received a report on this from Deloitte & Touche and sought an upgrade, a policy which I agreed. I wish to plead with the Minister for Transport, Deputy Noel Dempsey, through the Leader to get this issue right as the proposed changes are not necessary. There is a highly skilled workforce in place with the necessary infrastructure, there is a record of excellent service and the proposed changes are lunacy. I will not go as far as some of my colleagues in Kerry, who yesterday referred to the matter as bureaucratic thuggery, but this lunacy must cease. I plead with the Minister for Transport, through the Leader, to get this back on track.