Minister of State with responsibility for the Irish Coast Guard, Jack Chambers TD, has opened the newly constructed Coast Guard station in Bonmahon, County Waterford.

The Department of Transport invest €5.2 million into the facility which will provide a state-of-the-art facilities for volunteers at the Bonmahon Coast Guard Unit.

Facilities at the new station include training rooms, operations rooms, offices, garage space, welfare facilities and vehicle parking.

Over the past three years, Bonmahon Coast Guard Unit attended 89 incidents and this new facility will improve the Coast Guard activities undertaken by the unit.

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Minister of State, Jack Chambers said:

"The men and women of our Coast Guard undertake incredible, lifesaving work - often in the very worst conditions - and it essential they are supported in their role which is at the very heart of our coastal communities.

"The opening of this €5.2m station house, which is the first new Coast Guard building since 2014, marks the ongoing commitment by the Department of Transport in developing the volunteer service. The Coast Guard, through the building programme is committed to the ongoing construction of rescue stations around the coast."

Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Patrick O'Donovan said: "On behalf of my colleagues in the OPW, I am pleased to announce that the construction of the new Coast Guard station in Bonmahon is now complete. This purpose-built facility will provide the Unit and volunteers with modern accommodation and significantly improved storage facilities.

"The commitment and dedication of the volunteers is second to none and I am delighted that this new facility will assist them in delivering this invaluable service along the South East Coast."