Mr. Seán Ó Domhnaill:

We were lucky enough that, based in a Gaeltacht area, all we do here is through Irish. There is the county council and the fire service. I am here with two hats. We had a problem where all TETRA radios were down, so we were blind and deaf for approximately 24 hours during the worst time of the storm. There was no communication between any of the services at that time. Any call that came in from 999 or 112 could not get to us due to that. I know that has been seen and corrected. Due to where we are based, we must be grateful to the county council, the Department and Údarás na Gaeltachta. The service we can give to our community is that we ensure accessibility for people with disabilities. We pushed hard for that. The community, from wherever they were, were able to come to this community building and do all charging and had all the facilities they needed. They were treated and acted like anyone at the time with regard to whatever service they needed. This was a time when community and State services came together. We had people who could bring people with disabilities and who were in need. They were able to go and to be brought to our services here or brought to there. Being with the fire service, we knew the vulnerable people. We have lists of people like that. Again, it is important for us that we meet these people and are able to communicate with them through Irish. I know that documentation and all of that stuff was available in Irish at the time. Anything regarding the aftermath of the storm was available through our local TD. I know John Connolly was available here. All documentation was in Irish, if needed. When we come to times of disaster and you are in need of help, any language is needed, whether English or Irish. Thank God, we saw that during the day. It was really afterwards that we saw the casualties mounting up against us due to the after effects and people trying to correct storm damage.

I am on both sides of the table through my colleagues in the committee room who are answering questions about the ESB and those who we worked well with. We are at a stage with the community buildings here where we have not been brought to the next level, so if another storm hits us tomorrow, we will not be prepared. When it comes to Government funding, the buildings are ready now and we are looking for generators on hire purchase, HP. The buildings are set up in areas of between 1,000 and 10,000 people. They are ready to turn the key today and do not want to be waiting for HP. When a storm hits again, I do not think there will be enough generators in at that time.

I answered a couple of questions there. Bhí muid réidh leis an teanga. Bhí sé go maith idir na comhlachtaí uilig, idir na comhairlí contae, na Rannóga Stáit, an córas leictreachais é féin agus na seirbhísí eile.