Minister Varadkar officially opening the Coast Guard station in Killybegs yesterday. Now Malin Head is to get a massive IT upgrade
DD Exclusive: The future of Malin Head Coast Guard station is guaranteed after a promise from Minister Leo Varadkar that it will share in a €1M upgrade of its IT systems, Donegal Daily can reveal.
More than €330,000 of new technology is on its way to the station in the next few months, with the rest of the money being spent upgrading both Dublin HQ and Valencia Island Coast Guard station.
Irish Coast Guard Director Chris Reynolds shocked an audience in Killybegs yesterday where their new state-of-the art Coast Guard station was opened.
“I am delighted to have this opportunity to tell you all that a new €1M upgrade of our IT systems will be announced shortly and Malin Head will share in that,” he said.
Afterwards Donegal TD Joe McHugh said the official announcement, which will be made in a few weeks, was proof Malin Head is now safe from cuts.
“The fact is that Minister Varadkar came to Malin Head Coast Guard station himself to see the work done there and he guaranteed its future afterwards,” said Deputy McHugh last night.
“Unfortunately there were unfounded rumours since that the station was still under threat and that just wasn’t true but those claims took on a life of their own and this €330,000 spend on new technology at Malin Head will puts those rumours to bed once and for all.
“It is a testament to the fantastic work done 24 hours every day and 365 days of each year by the dedicated staff at Malin Head who are heroes, not just to people around Ireland every day, but to seafarers around the world.”
Minister Varadkar said he was “delighted” that Malin Head will get a one third share in the new technology upgrade, adding: “We are working all the time to upgrade our Coast Guard services with the aim of opening a new station every year.
“The IT upgrade is also part of our commitment to the service.”
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