Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 2:

In page 8, before section 13, to insert the following new section:

"13.-The Minister shall ensure that each local authority is resourced accordingly in order to fulfil its civil defence plans as set out in section 12 of this Act.".

Under the existing Civil Defence board, there is a criteria for allocation of funding to local authorities. It is obliged to compile a plan at local level to ensure adequate training and resourcing of Civil Defence members within its respective local authority area. Under the provisions of the Bill it appears the same criteria does not apply in respect of how the Minister and the Department will allocate funding. I am concerned that adequate resources would be made available for ongoing training. As the Minister of State is aware, Civil Defence officers are an incredibly important back up. For example, during the winter of 2010 and early 2011 there was a crisis across the State and those officers were called out in counties such as Donegal to back up the emergency services. There are all sorts of scenarios but please God they will not happen. However, we must have the ability to train people on an ongoing basis and the resources to do so. The intent of the amendment is to ensure the existing criteria continues, whereby Civil Defence officers continue to keep on top of their plans and are sharp and trained and ready under the new arrangement.