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Press release

Senator Mark Daly condemns Senior Coast Guard Management for Insulting Spanish Ambassador

(3 June 3pm) Senator Mark Daly  has condemned the Senior Management of the Irish Coast Guards for refusing to allow the Spanish Ambassador to visit the Marine Resue Coordination Centre (MRCC) at Valentia. The centre is the only MRCC in Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales which can communicate in Spanish with Spanish trawlers in distress.

A governemt decision is immenent as to the future of the Valentia centre. Speaking from Kerry Senator Daly said "there is justifiable concerns in the Spanish government that the loss of expertise in Valentia will put Spanish live at risk". Last year alone one third of all May Day calls handeld by Valentia were from Spanish trawlers. "If Valentia is closed, Spanish lives will be lost", concluded Senator Daly

The Spanish Ambassador is on a personal visit to the island to visit the graves of spanish fisherman lost off the Irish coast. While the Coast Guard Service are not allowing the Ambassador to vist the MRCC, the RNLI have welcomed him aboard the world famous Valentia lifeboat.
  

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For more information or to arrange an interview please call Senator Daly on 086 803 2612