Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the Minister of State’s response. I could also ask about the Courtown Coast Guard unit, but we are specifically talking about the issue with Cahore. I welcome the fact that we have standards for these rescue boats, but in order to be able to meet these standards, we have to ensure the boats are in good condition. There is fundraising for ongoing regular costs, but it is not feasible for a small group like this to be able to fundraise for the purchase of a boat. While I welcome the commitment of a review within the Department, it is a matter of urgency for Cahore that some sort of capital programme is put in place by the Department, not just for this community rescue boat service but also for others, in order that when there is a major capital cost, such a scheme is in place to help meet the standards that are rightly set out by the Coast Guard. These are volunteers who do incredibly important work on behalf of the State. They are involved in saving lives and in ensuring coastal safety. It is critically important that the State responds and provides the necessary moneys they can apply for in order to be able to fund capital purchases.