Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

A few months ago Fine Gael tabled a good samaritans Bill to afford a defence to volunteers against a damages claim. The Government unfortunately rejected the Bill due to a deliberate misinterpretation by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Will the Taoiseach ask the task force to consider recommending that the Government table a good samaritans Bill to assist volunteers? Several hundred volunteers in Wicklow and Kildare are involved with a community first responders scheme. Such legislation would provide these people, who are concerned with carrying out voluntary work, with protection.

The volunteers to whom I refer received support from the ambulance service in the former Eastern Regional Health Authority area. Such support from professionals was vital. In the past month or two, however, the support to which I refer has been withdrawn, for reasons I cannot fathom. Will the Taoiseach use his good offices to see if it can be re-established? The several hundred people in question have provided valuable assistance for nothing.

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