Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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190. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of the staff and volunteer complement at Doolin coastguard unit; if he is satisfied that this unit is sufficiently experienced and competent; if there are immediate plans to further add to the staff complement at the unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62936/22]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Mulvey Report on Doolin was completed at the end of 2021 and made a number of recommendations which I am pleased to say have since been implemented. Over the course of this year the Doolin Unit has been reconstituted with nine volunteers to date and continues to make good progress and I am informed that the reconstituted unit is sufficiently experienced and competent.

The Mulvey Report also recommended that the reconstituted Doolin Unit be allowed sufficient time to develop a culture of mutual respect and trust, and this process is on-going and I believe should be supported by all those interested in the Unit’s future success. Minister of State Naughton visited Doolin recently and heard first-hand of the positive work being undertaken in the Unit.

More generally I welcome this year's very positive engagement between Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) management and IRCG volunteer representatives - the Coastal Unit Advisory Group - in agreeing a renewed and refreshed terms of reference for the Group and can confirm that the IRCG is committed to ongoing consultation and communication with all Coast Guard volunteers.