Doolin Coast Guard closer to new station

THE Doolin Unit of the Irish Coast Guard moved a step closer to getting a new station this week as the Office of Public Works (OPW) announced that it was compiling a list of companies from which tenders would be invited for the work.

Companies hoping to build the much-needed station must submit their applications by Monday, September 19 at midday.
The Doolin Unit of the Irish Coast Guard has said the move by the OPW is a step in the right direction.
“We are happy that this is happening because it is another cog in the wheel. The first thing that had to be done is to get a site, then get planning permission, the third aspect is the tender and from there we are ready to go as soon as funding becomes available. It is just a matter of going ahead and doing it at that stage, you know,” said Mattie Shannon, officer in charge of the Doolin Unit.
Getting the funding, Mr Shannon acknowledges, is likely to be the most difficult part of the process.
“We are not sure where we are at the moment as regards the funding. We don’t have it and there is a chance we will be moving from the remit of the Department of Transport to the Department of Agriculture next year and if that happens, I would say securing funding will be even more difficult. That said, we won’t know the position until after Christmas,” Mr Shannon concluded.