Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge that the Minister of State has a strong interest in Civil Defence. It is important that volunteers be respected and that we encourage them. He has visited many locations around the country, which I encourage. It is important to liaise strongly with volunteers, but it is also important to secure a permanent solution for Westmeath Civil Defence. The organisation needs to house expensive equipment in appropriate locations and train volunteers in state-of-the-art facilities. These volunteers give of their time free of charge and work to support their communities. They support events such as Darkness into Light and Crinniú na Cásca. I would be grateful if the Minster of State kept the pressure on and thank him for meeting a Civil Defence delegation at his office in Leinster House. We need to keep the issue to the fore.

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