Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I understand the voluntary nature of the organisation. It is a bit like the Red Cross, the Order of Malta or whatever. However, it is incorporated into the Defence Forces. It would not be a good idea to move away from the voluntary ethos. I understand that but I am talking about a small allowance to cover out-of-pocket expenses or cases where members have to drop everything to assist in the case of a search and rescue operation. There are typically one or two paid personnel in a county operating within the remit of the local authority and the Defence Forces. That works fine. The voluntary nature of the organisation should be maintained. I have no problem in understanding that. I accept that and want it to be kept that way. That is not what I am asking about. We have had a lot of discussion about improving incentives and retention in the Defence Forces. We know it is harder to get people to volunteer these days. People are under time pressure. Every adult in the house is now working. It is harder to get people to do things at weekends, in the evening or during the night, when people may be called out. Does the Department recognise that Civil Defence members incur out-of-pocket expenses, particularly where they are involved in search and rescue and may be called out? There should be some call-out allowance to cover their legitimate costs. That is what I am asking about.