Seanad debates

Tuesday, 9 November 2021

Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters

Coast Guard Service

2:30 pm

Photo of Hildegarde NaughtonHildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senators for raising this issue. The temporary standing down of the Doolin Coast Guard unit operation is a proportionate response, having regard to significant ongoing attempts by the Coast Guard to address the unfortunate differences that have existed within the unit for a number of years and their impact on the unit. However, attempts to resolve the situation to date have not been successful and I believe there is a role for an independent person or mediator to be appointed to the Doolin unit with a view to resolving the difficulties. I intend to meet with officials in my Department shortly to discuss the next steps in the appointment of such a person. To be clear on the rationale for the action of standing down the Doolin unit, the key objective is to ensure the safety of the volunteers.

The action is being taken in compliance with search and rescue assurance obligations set out in the national search and rescue plan and I have been advised that contingency plans are in place. I am in regular contact with Department officials on this matter. As Senators know, the Inis Oírr Coast Guard unit, which falls under the direct management of the Doolin unit, shall continue to remain fully operational and in the interim, the Coast Guard is liaising with other search and rescue stakeholders in the area to provide full cover for services that otherwise would be provided by the Doolin unit. The Coast Guard is currently deploying various contingencies based on an assessment of risk within the area and, in particular, Kilkee and Killaloe Coast Guard units. All other Coast Guard units, shoreline and cliff rescue services remain in place, along with the four search and rescue Coast Guard helicopters. The RNLI community rescue boats and the Naval Service will continue to assist, particularly in those areas of greatest risk until the issue has been resolved.

Doolin Coast Guard unit is unique compared with the majority of units in the country in that it has had several years of significantly unresolved, internal, interpersonal difficulties. The Coast Guard and my Department have taken these unfortunate differences between the Doolin unit volunteers extremely seriously and have consistently met and engaged with the Doolin unit over the past number of years to try to assist in the repair of the breakdown in relationships that has occurred within the unit. A review was conducted in 2019 by an independent human resources company to examine and consider the root causes. Follow-up actions have included dignity and respect training for the Doolin unit, the facilitation of group and one-to-one sessions with the Irish Coast Guard, IRCG, management and the Doolin unit members. An intensive support package was also put in place with coastal unit sector managers to monitor and assist in supervising the situation. The Coast Guard also very much acknowledges and recognises the strenuous efforts and leadership displayed by many members of the Doolin unit, its management and other stakeholders to address these difficulties. I assure members that the Coast Guard is committed to supporting the 900 volunteers who helped to provide the important life-saving service of the IRCG and ongoing consultation with the volunteers is key.

The Coast Guard volunteers have for some time had a representative body called the Coastal Unit Advisory Group, which represents Irish Coast Guard volunteers and provides advice and input to the Coast Guard under agreed terms of reference between management and volunteers. I intend to meet with the Coastal Unit Advisory Group this week. I am also open to meeting other volunteers.

In 2018, the Coast Guard completed a review of the volunteer code of conduct. This review was conducted with independent, expert input from a human resource consultancy in order to ensure that Coast Guard processes and procedures were fair and fit for purpose for an organisation of its type. The review also involved a consultation process with the volunteers which was managed by the Coastal Unit Advisory Group. That group has also been reviewed with a refreshed structure and terms of reference. My key focus is to ensure we have a process that works and that the concerns of the volunteers are heard and addressed at the highest level.

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