Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am a member of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport, as is my colleague, Senator Buttimer. We have been speaking to the Coast Guard in recent meetings and a number of serious issues have arisen, some of which I have forwarded on to the Garda, and I will speak with them about more issues today.

Caitríona Lucas, may she rest in peace, was lost in Kilkee. There had been warnings around the time she was lost. Several issues have been brought to our attention concerning Rescue 116 regarding a failure to act on warnings that were given. Today, three issues must be dealt with immediately. I ask that the Minister comes to this House this evening, tomorrow morning, tomorrow evening or Friday. I do not care when it is, but he must know and take responsibility for the boat that is currently operating out of Howth. The boat came from Kilkee to Howth and was refitted when it arrived in Howth. I understand the engines that were fitted are considerably heavier than the ones that were originally designed for the boat, with the result that the stern of the boat was low in the water. To rectify this, lead was put into the bow of the boat. The boat is now operating without the certification to which it is entitled. I am told by experts who operate in this area that, as we speak today, lives are at risk in Howth. Each boat is fitted with two of everything: two radios, two GPS systems and two engines but there is only one isolation switch on the boat. I understand the switch became faulty or was damaged on the boat in Howth, which meant that the boat itself had to be recovered and I understand this is putting people's lives at risk.

The third issue I want to put on the record today is the sea anchor that has been put into service. The function of a sea anchor is to keep the boat head-on into the waves. I understand that the sea anchor that is currently in use turns the boat broadside and all you need is a wave slightly higher than the width of the boat, and it will flip the boat over. We have had serious accidents. We could talk about them all day long, starting in Dingle with life jackets. We know that the life jackets were withdrawn.

I am putting on the record of the House today that there are three urgent issues that must be dealt with immediately. Those boats must be inspected and if the issues that have been brought to my attention are factual, then the boats must be taken out of service and the crews must be stood down until a marine engineer certifies that they are suitable for use. We need the Minister to come to the House because a plethora of other things has been brought to my attention in recent days. These are volunteers putting their lives at risk. I know the Deputy Leader was a volunteer for a long time in the Defence Forces, so she understands the commitment of volunteers. If she does not mind, I ask that the Minister comes in.