I thank the Ceann Comhairle for giving me the opportunity to raise this important matter on the Adjournment this evening. First, I wish to acknowledge the excellent service provided by the search and rescue service since it was established in the north-west. Their dedication to duty and the commitment and efficiency of the crews are what we have come to expect from the Defence Forces. On many occasions in the past I had to request their services when emergencies arose on our offshore islands and they always, if at all possible, responded positively. I know I can speak on behalf of many coastal communities, including the inhabitants of our offshore islands, particularly Tory Island, as they would wish me to express their gratitude and appreciation in the Dáil.
For many years we did not have such a service in the north-west, nor on the western seaboard. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, a number of sea tragedies off Donegal resulted in the loss of many fishermen's' lives. I refer to the tragic loss of three fishing vessels in particular, the Skiford, the Carraig Una and the Evelyn Marie. During these tragic years, there were no search and rescue facilities in the west or north-west. Lives could perhaps have been saved if they had been in place.
Ultimately, it was the tragic death of a skipper, the late John Ogelsby who haemorrhaged to death as a result of an accident aboard his fishing boat that initiated a campaign, led at the time by Joey Murrin and Joan McGinley to name but two, that resulted in the establishment of a search and rescue facility in the north west.
In the past ten years many missions have been successfully executed and many lives saved. However, over the past three weeks the service in the north-west has virtually collapsed following a decision to remove and reassign crew members to other duties.
Fishermen and other mariners are now operating without the umbrella of a locally based rescue service, which is completely unacceptable. The north-west coast is one of the most exposed and treacherous coastlines in Ireland, if not in Europe. The absence of a rescue service on the threshold of winter is unthinkable and could endanger more lives in communities which have suffered so much in the past.
The winch crew members who have been removed have the highest concentration of bravery awards in the entire Defence Forces, with 16 distinguished service medals. In recent times they have become increasingly concerned that a fatal accident could occur as a result of the way the service is being run. Before their demotion, 11 of the men had already applied for pre-discharge leave due to their growing concerns about a fatal accident. I understand their applications have been turned down. They claimed conditions were becoming intolerable. I understand that temporary arrangements are now being put in place to give cover to the north-west. These services are based at Shannon and Baldonnel, with back-up facilities by the Royal Navy Helicopter Squadron at Prestwick and the British Maritime and Coastguard Agency based at Stornoway in Scotland.
This cover is completely inadequate. Everyone knows that time is a crucial factor in search and rescue missions. Minutes mean the difference between life and death. The extra time it takes to fly from Shannon Airport or Scotland can be critical. This temporary arrangement does not meet the needs of the north-west. We are regressing to square one to the situation over ten years ago before we had any such service.
The north-west fought a long battle to have a comprehensive and efficient rescue service in the area. It has served us well. Now it has been critically reduced to a stage where only a search can be carried out. The rescue element has been completely withdrawn due to the fact that winch crews have been reassigned. One could say with justification that it is no longer search and rescue but search and wave.
I appeal to the Minister to address this serious issue. Issues of safety and other grievances have been reported. Surely it is not impossible to have them addressed and resolved satisfactorily. We want the service restored as soon as possible because every day and hour brings its dangers.
