Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

The Air Corps has certain capabilities in that context. Recently, I visited Baldonnel and I had the opportunity to look at the helicopters that are available and talk to some of those in the Air Corps who have medical expertise and who engage in air and sea rescues and who also have the capacity to engage in the activity Deputy Naughten outlined. In an emergency, they would be available to assist the civil power. As we saw across the country this week, it is of crucial importance that the Civil Defence, which plays a very particular and important role, has essential facilities available, such as ambulances and other equipment. This was deployed with great effect in the events that took place on Monday evening. In circumstances where limited resources are available, judgments must be made about where equipment can be best positioned, whether it should be purchased and retained at local authority level or whether it should be acquired by the Civil Defence or the Defence Forces. Careful judgements must be made in circumstances of limited financial resources.

I cannot predict what weather we will experience this winter, any more than any other Member can. The weather events on Monday evening were extremely unusual, as were the snows of last winter. We do not know if we will have that experience again this winter or if it will not be repeated for five, ten or 15 years. Judgments must be made about resources and their location. I am familiar with some of the equipment to which Deputy Naughten refers, including the six-wheel vehicles, having seen them in use in the United States in major snow emergencies. They are usually purchased only in states that repeatedly experience the type of snow we had last winter, often for weeks on end.

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