Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

That is central to my thinking and there is no question of that occurring. We are simply abolishing a quango that has not proved to have a necessary function. The connection between the Civil Defence and local authorities will continue and will not be affected in any shape or form.

I join the Deputy in paying tribute to the Civil Defence. On behalf of the Government I thank all members of the Civil Defence for their outstanding work in extraordinarily difficult circumstances. I referred previously to events in Dublin. It is also right to note that in County Kildare, 18 volunteers and four 4X4 vehicles were deployed from 6.30 p.m. on Monday evening until 1 a.m. on Tuesday morning and assistance was provided to the Garda with traffic control on the N7 and to the local fire service in providing sandbags for a housing estate in Johnstown. In County Wicklow, 50 volunteers, three flood response vehicles, an ambulance and a minibus were deployed on Monday as the Civil Defence responded to calls for sandbags and took part in other duties all over the county. Volunteers assisted Wicklow County Council's planned evacuation of 500 houses in Bray, which thankfully did not have to be carried out as water levels receded. Civil Defence also provided a boat and volunteers to assist in the search for the missing garda, Ciaran Jones, who sadly and tragically lost his life in the floodwaters.

I also acknowledge that in County Monaghan some 14 Civil Defence volunteers were on active duty on Monday last. A Civil Defence boat was used to assist the local authority in the Carrickmacross area, while a first aid team treated elderly people who were evacuated from their homes in Ballybay. Volunteers were also involved in the deployment of sandbags and in transporting local authority housing staff to access dwellings in the worst affected areas. The outstanding performance of members of the Civil Defence team and corps right across the country deserves the acknowledgement and congratulations not just of Government, but of everyone in this House and the entire community. Yet again, it demonstrated the extraordinary community commitment and the bravery that attaches to that commitment.

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