Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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There are cases in which Civil Defence personnel, particularly those involved in search and rescue, go out and do the rescues themselves. They would be accompanied of members of An Garda Síochána, health service staff or people from other public bodies. I acknowledge that the Civil Defence is a great organisation and its volunteers do great work. I only see what is happening with a couple of local authorities but, from what I see, they appear to make sure that local Civil Defence branches are operational. I also acknowledge that a lot of new equipment has been provided. In County Laois, a lot of new equipment has gone into the Civil Defence. It was badly needed and that is to be welcomed. Personnel may be called out in the middle of the night or at weekends for search and rescue operations. They take risks. Has any case been made for a small allowance for those personnel? They incur personal expenses as they use their own vehicles to go here and there. While they are sometimes the ones to take the risk, they work alongside others who are there as part of their paid duties, for example members of the Defence Forces or An Garda Síochána or medical personnel.