The first emergency callout to an area covered by the Doolin Unit of the Irish Coast Guard since it was taken out of service occurred last night.
It comes as Oireachtas representatives in this county are doubling down on their calls for ministerial intervention on the matter.
The search was mounted at around 7.20pm when the Irish Coast Guard received a report that a woman was missing at the Cliffs of Moher.
The volunteer Coast Guard team based at nearby Doolin was not tasked as the station was stood down on Monday following six shock resignations.
The crew of Rescue 115 carried out a comprehensive search of the area however they was no definite sighting of the woman.
It is expected however that the search will resume on Thursday morning and that the Kilkee Coast Guard unit be tasked to assist Gardaí.
Speaking in the Seanad, Senator Timmy Dooley says the people who depend on this service in North Clare have been let down – and wants Transport Minister Eamon Ryan to step in.
The Irish Coast Guard says it’s liaising with other search and resuce stakeholders in the area in order to provide cover for services that otherwise would be provided by the Doolin unit.
It’s understood these stakeholders include the Kilkee Coast Guard unit; Kilrush RNLI in-shore lifeboat; the Aran Islands RNLI all-weather lifeboat and Clare County Fire and Rescue Service.
