Plans to build a new coastal station have been overshadowed by renewed calls to save the Valentia and Malin coastal stations.

Labour Party Spokesperson on the Marine, Senator Michael McCarthy has called on Minister Noel Dempsey to immediately reverse the Government's plan to shut down transmissions from two of Ireland's maritime coastal stations - Valentia in Co Kerry and Malin Head in Co Donegal.

"The Minister's plan to close down these two world renowned stations and build a new station elsewhere makes no sense whatsoever. There is no financial or geographic reason for the decision, and I believe that safety at sea will not in any way, be enhanced if this goes ahead," Mr McCarthy said.

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The 2002 Fearon Report stated that there are strong arguments for the west coast site being at neither Malin or Valentia, as radio transceiver and antenna infrastructure were a geographical coverage matter.

However, the report suggested the option of upgrading Valentia and Malin Head.

Senator McCarthy said that the decision to close the stations was flawed at the "most basic level" as it highlights the Government’s "total hypocrisy" regarding its own regional development policy.

"In the era of decentralisation, Minister Dempsey is going against the grain, and centralising these facilities. This has massive consequences, not only for the 34 jobs that are at stake, but also for entire coastal communities," he said.

(VB/JM)