Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)

I apologise on behalf of the Irish people to the Spanish ambassador and the people of Spain for the refusal of the Irish Coast Guard Service to let him visit the marine rescue and co-ordination centre at Valentia. I raised this yesterday on the Order of Business, but since then I have learned that the director of the Irish Coastguard Service, Mr. Chris Reynolds, in a Radio Kerry interview, said he would not allow the Spanish ambassador in because it is an operational facility. He said it was a workplace, and as such, it would not be appropriate to let him visit.

However, I have been informed this morning that on 13 April, this year, a group from the RNLI in Dorset, England, was allowed to visit the facility. In addition, some 15 people from Estonia's department of the environment were allowed to visit the marine rescue and co-ordination centre at Valentia. This exposes the lie and the excuses made by senior management for not allowing the ambassador to visit the centre. The real reason, of course, is because senior management is well aware that Spanish lives will be put at risk if the centre is closed and there will be a loss of Spanish speaking rescue co-ordinators, who will effectively be retired if Valentia closes.

The Spanish ambassador's visit would have highlighted Spain's concerns if Ireland closes this facility. On behalf of the Irish people I wish to apologise for insulting the Spanish ambassador.