Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)

I rise to condemn the senior management of the Irish Coast Guard service for its actions in refusing a request by the Spanish Ambassador to visit the marine rescue co-ordination centre in Valentia. The Ambassador wished to thank the men of Valentia station for their work in co-ordinating the rescue of Spanish trawlers in distress.

A decision on the future of Valentia coast guard station is imminent and if it is closed, Spanish lives will be lost because Malin and Valentia are the only two coast guard stations in Ireland, England, Scotland or Wales which can communicate with Spanish trawlers in distress. Will the Leader find out why the senior management of the Coast Guard service dishonoured us all by its actions and its insult to the Spanish Ambassador?