Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I will take slightly less than that because I know colleagues wish to speak. I offer my sympathy and wish to be associated with the expressions of sympathy which have been made inside and outside the House in respect of the sad deaths of Brian Murray and Mark O'Shaughnessy.

This is one of those occasions where those of us who do not know people who die in tragedies are often deeply affected. I remember speaking to Deputy McManus, if she does not mind me mentioning her, and telling her that I was struck by her interviews in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy and the manner in which it affected people. I think she reflected the fact that it affected us all.

Since the tragedy, I was struck by the courage and attitude of the families who have had to grieve in public, which I have no doubt must be very difficult, and yet have still focused on what they see as the campaign for what is right. In that sense, we must not only support them but do what we can to facilitate the points of view they are expressing.

I compliment Deputy Ciarán Lynch for his efforts in this regard because this is a very important debate and it is right that parliamentarians of all sides have an opportunity to pay tribute, not only to the fallen fire persons but to those in the fire services in Wicklow and throughout the country. All of us should do that. All of us who go to our beds at night and get up in the morning feel safe because we know the emergency services are there and their record around the country is excellent.

In respect of the tragedy, I remember being struck by how terrible it must be for families to imagine people going to work as we all do every morning, breaking off their normal work to do heroic public service and not coming home. I do not live in Wicklow and did not know the men involved but, as a public representative, I want to say how affected my community and I have been.

I notice that colleagues have made brief reference to the situation in their own constituencies. I do not want to talk much about my constituency but, like colleagues, I want to take the opportunity to record my appreciation for the emergency services in Dublin South-West and to put on record that in this debate, it is right that we all raise issues of concern to us with regard to the emergency services. I noticed last night that colleagues did that.

I have often made the point that there is only one fire station located in my constituency of Dublin South-West. As the fire personnel in the Gallery know, there is only one fire station in South Dublin County Council's administrative area. The local fire station is located in Belgard which was upgraded to a two-pump station in 2001. Fire services in my area are provided by the city council. This debate will continue but there are other issues relating to the fire services which I hope in future weeks we will debate.

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