Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I too want to acknowledge the work and the role of the Civil Defence and the Defence Forces, both recently and over the severe weather crises we have seen over the past number of years.

I wish to focus on one aspect of this work, the support provided to the HSE. Last winter, the Defence Forces provided substantial support throughout the country. One of the recommendations of the working group report is the purchase of key pieces of equipment that will be required in emergencies in the future. From a value for money perspective, it is not good value for the type of equipment that is only used in emergencies to be left lying idle. Would it not be better if strategic equipment, such as field ambulances and high body six-wheeled vehicles that can access flooded areas were purchased by the Defence Forces and made available where required?

What is the situation now with regard to the Air Corps and the grounded helicopters in the context of emergency evacuations that may be required where it is not possible to access a community in any other way?

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