“An honour and a privilege”

Mr Dallat has been campaigning to keep the Station at Malin Head open, pointing out that it serves people not only in County Donegal, but also people in County Londonderry.

The blessing of the new equipment at the refurbished Coastguard Station was a cross-community event involving clergy from the various churches.

He said: “It was an honour and a privilege to be invited to the ceremony to mark the re-opening of the Malin Head Coastguard Station. It has been very rewarding for me to be involved in the campaign to save this station for the common good of all the people on both sides of the border.

“In the last few weeks the coastguards at Malin Head were involved in saving 16 lives on both sides of the border and the installation of the new equipment, which makes the station one of the most modern in the world, should be a cause of celebration.

“Sadly, yet again a consultant’s report, recommending its closure, is hanging over the future of this station which is the oldest in Europe and has a proud and flawless history of service to shipping and those who use the sea.

“The future of Malin Head Coastguard Station, as a full-time communications centre, is vital to the people I represent on the Causeway Coast and far beyond. It is probably the best example of cross-border cooperation representing various organisations, including the Royal Lifeboat Institution and other voluntary bodies which depend on the coastguards for their ability to co-ordinate rescues.

“The campaign to save the station deserves the support of everyone and when the final decision is announced next month it would be unthinkable if our worst fears were founded. It would simply be madness personified.

“No new technology can replace the knowledge and experience of the 16 officers who man the station and live in County Donegal and County Derry. Even when off-duty their minds and thoughts are firmly focussed on the sea.

“Recently I travelled to Dail Eireann to make a plea to the government and I have followed that up in communications clearly stating many reasons why it is unthinkable to consider closing Malin Head Coastguard Station. No saving of money would be achieved and in any event what price to you put on even one life when the northern part of this island is robbed to the experience of the coastguards who use this new equipment to monitor the seas and co-ordinate the rescue of people who are in danger.”