Mr. Kealan McMoreland:

I thank the Deputy, and reiterate what he said in praising local authority workers during crises. They do phenomenal work, particularly in preparing and treating roads and the chainsaw crews who go out and clear those roads when we have damage during storms. I highlighted to the Senator that we have a lead Government Department model, so I have to be very careful I do not slip into another Department’s policy area. What I can say, though, is that we are working with colleagues now to ensure we plug the utilities in as well. It is not just about the ESB but also Uisce Éireann and the telecommunication providers and plugging them into the local authority system.