Fórsa has written to coastguard management seeking confirmation that the service has enough professional and technical staff to provide a safe and efficient response to emergency incidents in Irish coastal waters. The move follows the publication of Department of Transport documents, released under freedom of information legislation, which cast doubt on the ability of the service to function safely and efficiently unless technical and professional posts are filled and staff numbers increased.

 

Fórsa official Andy Pike said recent press reports showed that the coastguard service was continually assessing risks to operational effectiveness. “We commend management for undertaking assessments to ensure that staff, volunteers and the public are as safe as possible when at sea or in coastal areas. But it is incumbent on them to act on those risk assessments and to increase operational capability in line with professional advice,” he said.

 

Fórsa recently highlighted recruitment and retention difficulties in the service in its submission to the Public Service Pay Commission. “We are pleased that new posts have been sanctioned for 2018 and we are seeking assurances that this increase is sufficient to address the operational shortcomings highlighted in the press. Improved starting salaries for new recruits would greatly assist the service in filling these specialised posts,” said Andy.