Keith Swanick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have received correspondence about the Irish Coast Guard and the lack of legislation which covers it. As a medic working on the west coast I regularly liaise closely with our coast guard service and experience first-hand its members' bravery and commitment to serving the public while putting their own lives in danger. They face peril on every call out.

Yesterday, family members of missing people gathered in Farmleigh House to mark National Missing Persons Day. At the event the Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality, Deputy Stanton, thanked members of the Garda Síochána for their work and continued support for those families whose loved ones are missing. He also said it is important to remember Irish Coast Guard volunteer Catriona Lucas, who gave her life in the line of duty in September of this year. Ms Lucas was the first volunteer coast guard to die in the course of duty and her tragic death brought home the true nature of the job. They really are unsung heroes.

It is quite unbelievable, therefore, that their work as a primary response agency is not afforded protection under legislation. A few weeks ago the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, addressed this House and said safety at sea is vital to this island nation. I commend the Irish Coast Guard, the volunteers, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, RNLI, and all involved in ensuring safety at sea on their bravery, remarkable courage and heroism in the service of others. These salutations are well meant and well placed but they are not enough. More needs to be done to enshrine in law the duties, roles and rights of our coast guard.