Cross-border boost for coastguard
By Louise Doyle
THE Malin Head coastguard campaign has received another cross-border boost.
Northern deputy first minister, Martin McGuinness, is set to raise the issue of the future of the threatened Malin Head marine rescue co-ordination centre with Taoiseach designate Brian Cowen.
The meeting will also include Foyle Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson.
Donegal Sinn Féin councillor Pádraig MacLochlainn welcomed the news.
He said: “I welcome the intervention by Martina Anderson and now Martin McGuinness on behalf of the Malin Head station and it clearly shows that this is a matter of huge importance for all the people of the northwest.
“As this campaign gathers momentum, it is clear that north-south political co-operation is the most effective avenue and as the only all-Ireland party Sinn Féin will continue to pursue this issue with all our energy on behalf of the people of the northwest.”
Martina Anderson said there are “deep concerns” for the future of the coastguard centres at Malin Head and Valentia in county Kerry.
She said: “I believe the decision to close these centres is flawed and should be overturned.
“It also flies in the face of the government’s stated policy of decentralisation.
“Instead of moving jobs to an area of high unemployment like Donegal, they are intent on removing much-needed employment from the area.”
Ms Anderson said she was “looking forward” to the intervention and added that she hopes Brian Cowen “listens to the pleas of people right across the northwest and overturns the decision as one of his first actions as taoiseach”.
