Coastguard Saved!

Two pressure groups, which were opposing the closure of important coastguard facilities, are celebrating this week.

The Save the Malin Head Station campaign group is welcoming news that the famous Donegal Coastguard Station is to be retained.

It has been confirmed this week by the Department of Transport that both Malin Head station and the facility on Valencia Island in Kerry are not only to be saved from possible closure, but are to be upgraded, with work expected to commence in 2010.

There had been proposals to downgrade the service at Malin Head and the one in Kerry, but 'people power' is said to have ensured that both the island's historic coastguard station and the one on Ireland's most northerly point are to be retained.

On Tuesday night, the Minister of State for Transport, Noel Ahern said the Government has decided to ditch plans to close Valentia and Malin Head stations.

News of the U-turn followed a vigorous campaign by Valentia Save Our Station group and by their Donegal opposite numbers to ensure the life-saving service remained open.

It had been announced in October 2007 that the stations would be closed following the official Fearon Report.

Among the reasons given were inadequate telecommunications and ESB supply as well as lack of educational opportunities for the families of employees at the station.

However, the people of both Donegal and Valentia refused to "allow their community to be destroyed" and they vowed to fight the decision all the way.

Valentia Coastguard station will also now be up-graded and the purchase of three Integrated Communication System (ICS) cores at a cost of approximately €2.5 million has been approved. One

Tendering procedures for the necessary radio equipment is at an advanced stage and delivery and installation of the first Integrated Communication System (ICS) core in Dublin will be in late 2009 with work at Malin and Valentia to commence in 2010.

Charlie O'Donnell of the Malin Head Community Association said the decision makes sense.

Joe McHugh, Fine Gael TD for Donegal North East, said the decision was a victory for the swell of community opposition against plans for the stations to be moved.

If the station had closed, it would have been a particularly hard blow for Donegal, as it is still smarting from news that local army camps are to be closed down, with the loss of both local employment and spending from the military personnel posted there.

That issue had already raised temperatures across the county with even the Dáil being suspended for a time after Fine Gael Spokesperson for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Dinny McGinley shouted at Minister O'Dea about the two army bases during question time.

The Minister had explained that army bases at Lifford and Rockhill, Co Donegal were being closed and the staff transferred to Finner Camp.