Gardaí are investigating the circumstances surrounding the discovery of a body in Co Clare this afternoon.

Clare Independent TD Michael McNamara has questioned Junior Transport Minister Hildegarde Naughton about the standing down of the Doolin unit of the Irish Coast Guard.

Garda divers, Clare Civil Defence and the Aran Islands RNLI lifeboat have joined the search for a woman reported missing at the Cliffs of Moher in Co Clare last night.

The first emergency callout to an area covered by the Doolin Unit of the Irish Coast Guard, which was taken out of service on Monday, occurred last night (Wednesday).

Meetings between Irish Coast Guard management and members of the Doolin unit of the volunteer service are being held today (Wednesday) after the station was stood down on Monday following a number of shock resignations.

Members of one of the country’s most experienced Irish Coast Guard units are no longer allowed to respond to emergencies. This follows a decision on Monday by the Irish Coast Guard to take the Doolin unit in Co Clare ‘off the board.’

The Shannon-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter was tasked on a long-range operation off the south west coast early today.

Gardaí at Kilrush have renewed their appeals to the public for assistance in identifying the remains of three people whose bodies were recovered in recent years off the coast of County Clare.