Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I want to take these questions over and back and I beg forgiveness in respect of the first one. A place the Tánaiste might know well is the Border area around the Cooley Peninsula, particularly as he has attended many Brexit events in recent years. Unfortunately, this area has been hammered in recent days with fires in Annaloughan. A huge number of people in the Jenkinstown and Lordship areas are worried. The forests in the area are owned by Coillte, which has helicopters in the area. The problem is that Louth County Council submitted a request today for the Air Corps to assist but there was a technical difficulty which meant that it could not provide support. This area is first on the list but the Air Corps might not end up getting there until tomorrow. In fairness to Louth County Council, it has followed up on the issue and tried to get a commercial helicopter from the same company that Coillte uses. However, the people to whom I spoke were not too hopeful that the council would be able to get the helicopter when I was in contact with them.. The difficulty is that the fire is still burning and the other problem is that it is moving upwards. Therefore, helicopters are required. I commend the great work that has been done by the fire services. I have been kept updated on the matter by Councillor Antóin Watters. Can the Tánaiste make contact with the Minister of State withe responsibility for defence in respect of what is happening? Can we have State resources brought to bear and a State response? That is what is needed because an awful lot of people are worried.

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