Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This is a significant loss of personnel, which is concerning. In those intervening years, many areas have experienced a decline in numbers as the age profile of those involved increased and the number of newer or younger members remained static or fell. Many units operate out of substandard accommodation. While I acknowledge progress has been made in recent years, I am concerned that there does not seem to be any parity of accommodation in which a local unit can grow, and extend its membership, training and functions.

I will raise two specific issues regarding the Bill. Perhaps the Minister will provide some clarification on these. Section 4(4) states: "Each local authority shall provide such accommodation". I am concerned that a number of local authorities are not in a position to provide accommodation, given the dramatic rise in costs associated with buildings. I encourage the Minister and the Department to actively engage with those local authorities, particularly where another State body may have unused buildings in the location that could be repurposed. Section 4(4) goes on to state: "Each local authority shall provide such accommodation and equipment as may reasonably be required for its civil defence unit". However, section 2(e) states that the Minister shall be responsible for "procuring such goods and equipment". There needs to be some clarity as to who is responsible for what equipment and when.

I will highlight another area that relates somewhat to the 70:30 funding split for the Civil Defence, specifically assets, whereby the Department is responsible for 70% and the local authority 30% of such assets. It is my understanding, following committee engagement, that the Comptroller and Auditor General has no involvement and the local authority's internal audit is responsible for those assets. Appropriate resources need to be put in place to ensure this is carried out efficiently.

I will move to section 5(1), which states that each local authority may, with the consent and approval of the Minister employ as many persons as are deemed appropriate. There are significant pressures on our local authorities to recruit and retain staff. That is a fact in many departments across most local authorities. We need to ensure that when decisions for hiring or reallocation of staff are being made that the Civil Defence is not left behind or somehow ignored. I ask the Minister to engage with local authorities on that issue. These Civil Defence officers are responsible for the day-to-day management of Civil Defence matters in their local authority area. They are the key link between the volunteer, community, local authority and the Department nationally. They are a vital cog in the mechanism.

While each local authority should have a strong, local, consistent plan that is specific to its area, synergies can also be developed on a more regional basis around that inter-local authority co-operation. This regional approach can be developed to maximise the strengths and capabilities in different local authority areas. The Minister referenced Dublin, where this is widely practised. There are areas, such as neighbouring local authorities, that have similar needs and make similar asks of their Civil Defence units. Many will be more familiar with the Civil Defence in the context of community event support for the provision of medical cover and the like.

I will be clear because we do not get an opportunity to speak about the Civil Defence. The committee has given a strong commitment that we intend to visit its headquarters in Roscrea in the next number of months. As we are here today and have the opportunity to do so, I will put on the record exactly what our Civil Defence does that many of us are not aware of because we never needed its services. It is a recognised training institute by the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council. Volunteers are certified as cardiac first responders and emergency medical technicians. A large number of staff who are employed in the ambulance service, give freely of their time to the Civil Defence to ensure that others are trained to such a level. The role it plays in missing person searches in support of An Garda and the Coast Guar is valuable and important to anybody whose family member is missing. The Civil Defence is fully licensed to use its drones, which are a quick, easy and effective way to extend a search parameter and they also have thermal imaging capability. Drone usage is not something many people would associate with the Civil Defence. It provides second-line support to our fire services. It has been very much to the fore during environmental and flooding events, which have affected the area in which I live over the years. As somebody who comes from a county renowned for its waterways, Civil Defence members have water awareness and are also certified in basic water rescue and swift water and flood first-response. That is critical throughout counties in the midlands as is its welfare service, which includes food preparation and the safety and evacuation of displaced people.

The skill levels within the Civil Defence are phenomenal. These have never been maximised but this legislation could be the first step to achieving more for, and from, the Civil Defence. It collects soil samples for the Environmental Protection Agency. It is also the service tasked with taking radiation readings. The radiation service has a number of important and specific functions set out under the national emergency plan for nuclear accidents. Civil Defence volunteers are the people who will collect samples to monitor and assist in any control measures that will be needed after such an accident. I spoke of parity in accommodation but parity in training will also be important into the future as the Civil Defence develops and continues to grow.

This legislation should be the first of many necessary steps for the Civil Defence. There is a strong need for local leadership and management to ensure the plans that are put in place are fit for purpose and reflect the needs of local authorities, and the openness of any local authority to work with its neighbouring authority in the best interests of what is everybody's community. Coupled with the necessary resources from the Department, and training, development and equipment, the Civil Defence will grow and will continue to deliver those vital services locally and nationally. Key to that, and this is reflective of the wider defence family and much more, is the people.

The Minister mentioned the medal given to Civil Defence volunteers - they were worthy of it and it was well earned - for their contribution during the Covid pandemic. I cannot let this opportunity pass to draw the Minister's attention to the fact that no other medal has been provided to members of the Defence Forces for Operation Fortitude.

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