Clare’s Independent TD says clarity is needed as to why six members of the Doolin unit of the Irish Coast Guard resigned this week.
It comes as a search for a woman reported missing at the Cliffs of Moher continues today without the North Clare unit.
The volunteer Coast Guard team based at Doolin was not tasked to the search for the woman in her 20’s on Wednesday evening after it was stood down by the national body.
Garda divers, the Clare Civil Defence and the Aran Islands RNLI lifeboat are conducting the search operation which has resumed today.
The Shannon based search and rescue helicopter carried out a search of the area after the alarm was raised but nothing has yet been found.
The Irish Coast Guard says it’s liaising with other search and rescue stakeholders in the area in order to provide cover for services that otherwise would be provided by the Doolin unit.
However, Clare’s Independent TD wants clarity as to why six members felt the need to leave their voluntary positions earlier this week.
Deputy Michael McNamara says serious questions need to be answered.
The Junior Minister for Transport says her department will provide mediation supports to the Doolin unit if needed.
Addressing Deputy McNamara and Deputy Joe Carey in the Dail last night, Hildegarde Naughton says management structures in the unit may need to be strengthened.
A Lahinch resident whose life was saved by the Doolin unit of the Coast Guard back in 2017 says the service needs to be urgently retained.
Bill Rothwell fell into the sea at Black Head in December of that year while fishing and sustained leg injuries, and was ultimately rescued by North Clare volunteers.
He says he can never thank the group enough for saving his life.
