Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Na Gaeil Óga is an Irish-speaking GAA club in Lucan. It plays in two different parks, located in two different local authority areas, Griffeen Valley Park and St. Catherine's Park, one of which is in the South Dublin County Council area the other of which is in the Fingal County Council area. Members of the club are really concerned that if there were an incident, it would be too late for them if they needed to get a defibrillator on site. Not all clubs have a structure or a building in which to locate a defibrillator. Would the Government consider working with local authorities to provide defibrillators in local parks so that all sporting organisations can avail of them irrespective of whether they have a building in which to locate them?

Will the Minister of State work with the local authorities to achieve this? This would be very beneficial. In my own area, there are hundreds of children involved in Collinstown Football Club, but there is no defibrillator in the park where they play. This would be a really welcome initiative. I ask that the Minister of State work with the local authorities to proceed with it.

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