2026-05-14

I thank the Minister of State for taking this on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Canney. I have no doubt the response from the Department will outline the rich history of the old rocket house station and the importance of the Coast Card to our coastal communities in north Wexford and south Wicklow. As the Minister of State comes from a coastal county, he is very appreciative of the work of the Coast Guard. I will not go into the rich history of the Coast Guard but I will speak about the recent history. For over a decade there has been a demand for a much-needed coastal facility. When I was in the Seanad on 24 February 2022 I had a Commencement debate with the then Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, during which she informed us that six sites for a new Coast Guard facility had been identified by the OPW and that Courtown was on the priority list. On 23 November 2022, the Minister, Deputy Harris, came to the Seanad for a Commencement debate and told me Courtown was one of the key priorities for the OPW and that the OPW officials were giving the project every priority possible at the time. In the summer of 2023, the Minister, Deputy Chambers, met Wexford County Council and the Coast Guard in Courtown so there would be no issue with any potential site and it was resolved. On 10 October 2023, in a Commencement debate taken by the then Minister of State, Senator Rabbitte, I was told that Courtown was one of the key priorities for the OPW. On 24 April 2024 when I raised it as a Commencement matter with the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, he told me he could see it was matter I had been raising for quite a significant period. He said that new accommodation for the Courtown Coast Guard unit was included in the Coast Guard building programme. He said it was worth repeating that it was one of the key priorities of the delivery programme. He said a preferred site had been identified, the OPW was in discussions, that it would then move to appointing a project team and, following this, planned and detailed design. This was in April 2024. I thought that was great and that we would see progress. The general election happened and I ended up in this House. On 15 May 2025 I raised a Topical Issue debate taken by the Minister of State, Deputy Troy. He told me the OPW had identified a preferred site that was now awaiting approval of funding but the draft heads of terms, including the price, had been agreed on the new site. On 20 November 2025, in a written response, the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, told me a potential site had been identified after the 2024 appraisal process but the Department had requested there would be a further market trawl. He assured me it was still a priority for the Department. Come 14 April of this year, in a written response, the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, reassured me the provision of a new station for the unit remains a priority for the Department, and he pointed out a further market trawl had been carried out in Courtown. We have known for a long time it has been a priority. We went from six sites to five sites to heads of terms to a further market trawl. A temporary solution has been found which is not acceptable. There has been no consultation with the local Coast Guard. Will the Minister of State tell us when the new Coast Guard facility will be constructed in Courtown?

I thank Deputy Byrne for continuing his advocacy in regard to the delivery of the Courtown Coast Guard station. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Canney. The Courtown Coast Guard unit provides an important and valued service along a busy section of coastline, supporting maritime safety and search and rescue operations in the area. The unit is staffed by a dedicated group of volunteers who continue to deliver a coastal response and unmanned aerial system capability. Their contribution to the local community and maritime users is widely recognised. The Courtown unit operates from a parish-owned premises under a license agreement. This facility provides suitable welfare for operational accommodation and support, supporting the unit effectively in carrying out its duties. It represents a practical and functional solution which ensures continuity of service. The Irish Coast Guard building strategy, developed by the Department of Transport in collaboration with the Office of Public Works, was launched by the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, in November 2025. This provides a structured and consistent framework for the delivery of Coast Guard infrastructure nationally. The strategy sets out a clear approach to ensuring that all Coast Guard units operate from a safe, modern and fit-for-purpose facility, while also ensuring the public investment is managed in a responsible and proportional manner. Progress continues to be made across the wider Coast Guard building programme. A new Coast Guard station was delivered in Westport and officially opened by the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, earlier this year, while construction of the new facility at Greystones has commenced and is on track for substantial completion in early 2027. A number of additional projects are also progressing nationally and are at various stages, including feasibility, site identification, design and delivery. In the case of Courtown, the current premises aligns with the strategic approach set out in the building strategy. The facility is meeting operational requirements and providing sustainable suitable accommodation for volunteers. In this context it is appropriate that consideration be given to whether the existing premises can be secured but also enhanced on a longer-term basis rather than proceeding immediately to a more capital-intensive solution. The objective remains, which is to ensure that any solution delivered is sustainable, supports operational need and represents value for money for the Exchequer. This requires a balanced and evidence-based approach, taking account of local circumstances, available options and the wider Coast Guard infrastructure programme.

I thank the Minister of State but it is very clear the Department has not been listening or engaging with the local Coast Guard unit. The Minister of State said it himself. It is operating under licence, not even under a lease, in a local parochial house. By the way, in order for the vehicles to come out of that parochial house they have to go through the churchyard. When there is a wedding or a funeral or, at this time of the year, a confirmation or communion, you can imagine the difficulty. I cannot believe the Minister of State is saying to the House that it is suitable. He referenced the facility built in Westport and he is very familiar with it. Why are people in Courtown and across the coast of south Wicklow and north Wexford being denied a proper facility that was promised? We had been told by several Ministers that it was priority for the Department. It is not viewed as suitable. The case made by the Minister of State about a modern fit-for-purpose premises. There was no consultation with the local Coast Guard. Does the Minister of State really believe that a parochial house under licence represents a suitable building for a modern fit-for-purpose Coast Guard? I do not accept this is the case. As a matter of urgency will the Minister of State ask the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, to meet with the local Coast Guard to talk to them about their needs as volunteers in the community? That is so we finally see the commitment that has been given by several Ministers, including the identification of a preferred site, to see a proper Coast Guard facility provided in Courtown.

I agree with the sentiment of the challenges the Deputy has outlined with regard to progressing this important critical infrastructure for the community in Courtown and the volunteers who go above and beyond every day. I will take that back to the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, and his officials in the Department to further engage with the OPW with regard to the realisation of the existing premises. They can continue to future proof the needs of the local community. I will mention what the Deputy has referenced with regard to intensive engagement with the local community on its needs and the focus of progressing a sustainable solution into the long term that continues to meet the operational requirements and needs of the locality and complies with the current Coast Guard building strategy. That needs to be reflected on an individual basis. I know the response I have been provided with today does not meet the needs of the people the Deputy represents, and the area that requires investment in its critical infrastructure. I will relay that back to the Minister of State.