asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether the coast watchers have been withdrawn from Dunlaoghaire, and, if so, whether, in view of the fact that three boatmen have just lost their lives off Dunlaoghaire, he will arrange for coast watchers to be again established at Dunlaoghaire.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - DUNLAOGHAIRE COAST WATCHERS.
Under the British administration Admiralty coastguards were maintained at various stations, including Dunlaoghaire, round the coast. These coastguards, a whole-time body of ex-naval seamen, constituted a service which did duty along the coast for revenue, life-saving and foreshore purposes, and provided a reserve for the navy in time of war. No similar whole-time service is now continued in the Saorstát, nor is it considered that one is necessary. The life-saving portion of the coastguards' work is, however, maintained and continued by the Coast Life Saving Service, which is established at fifty-one stations, practically all of which are identical with the similar stations formerly worked by the coastguards. One of these stations, a full hawser rocket apparatus station, is at Dunlaoghaire, where there is also a motor lifeboat maintained by the Lifeboat Institution There are, therefore, very complete life-saving facilities provided at Dunlaoghaire. From the nature of the case no coast watcher could have given any help in the unfortunate incident referred to in the question.