Niall Collins (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)

I attended a public meeting in Newcastle West on Monday night where the issue of the response of public services and agencies during the recent severe weather was discussed. Several public representatives from the party that controls Limerick County Council were adamant that a request for assistance was submitted to Sarsfield Barracks in Limerick but that no assistance was forthcoming. By implication, the claim was that no assistance was forthcoming from the Minister. Will the Minister clarify whether a formal request was submitted by Limerick County Council to the officer commanding at Sarsfield Barracks for assistance during the recent cold spell? While some members of the council, with the backing of council management, insist there was a formal request for help, the information I have is different.

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