Minister facing calls to ensure Irish Coastguard Search & Rescue workers are protected

The Transport Minister is facing calls to ensure Irish Coastguard Search and Rescue workers are protected.A Sinn Fein motion brought forward in the Dail last night, calls for a number of immediate steps, the first of which is an urgent review of how 24-hour SAR duties are being recorded.Crews are required to work 24-hour shifts, yet these shifts are being recorded as only 16.5 hours of duty time under Irish Aviation Authority approvals.Speaking in the Dail last night, Donegal TD Pearse Doherty these dedicated people deserve better and has asked the Minister to urgently intervene: