An agreement on the site for the proposed Doolin Search and Rescue Headquarters could soon be reached according to the Minister of State and Clare, Tony Killeen.

The Minister confirmed that a meeting between the Office of Public Works, Clare County Council and the Irish Coast Guard is scheduled to take place on Thursday, February 28.

He said: "I have been informed by my colleague Noel Ahern, Finance Minister, with special responsibility for Office of Public Works (OPW), that the provision of new accommodation for the Coast Guard Services in Doolin continues to be a top priority for the Office of Public Works.

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"The Department of Transport, meanwhile, has also expressed its desire to see the project progressed."

He added: "The view of the OPW is that the location of the new Coastguard facilities should tie in with Clare County Council’s preferred option for the development of a new pier and ticket office in Doolin."

Minister Killeen said he was confident that the construction of the new Headquarters would follow quickly once a suitable site had been acquired.

"The OPW has repeatedly stressed that the construction process, including building design, planning permission application and tendering, will be proceeded with as quickly as possible.

He concluded: "I am hopeful that the upcoming meeting of the relevant parties will move the process forward through the resolution of any outstanding issues."

(VB/JM)