Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Bill, which is long overdue. It underpins an organisation that has been at the heart of community events in Ireland since 1951. We are incredibly proud of the Civil Defence family in County Longford, where Emma Reid is the Civil Defence officer. Throughout Covid, we saw the value and dedication of Civil Defence volunteers. We are incredibly lucky to have 25 top-drawer volunteers in Longford. It would be remiss of me if I did not use this occasion to acknowledge the Herculean efforts of Marie Hand, Padraig Croghan, Michael Heaney, Gerry Brady and Theresa McKenna, each of whom has over 20 years' service in the Civil Defence. Another four members have in excess of ten years' service each. We should not let the day pass without remembering those who gave stellar service in the Civil Defence and have, sadly, passed away. I remember in particular Stephen McKenna and John Martin who were giants of the Civil Defence movement in Longford.

No event, be it community, sporting or local authority, takes place in Longford without the involvement of the Civil Defence. Members do their duty with a constant smile and a sense of community that leaves us in no doubt as to the values and qualities that define this great country of ours. We saw the Civil Defence at its best last year, as the war in Ukraine unfolded, when members were to the fore in the humanitarian operation here. They continue to provide ongoing assistance for those fleeing the war in Ukraine, with Longford Civil Defence assisting with 43 specific duties last year, most of which involved the provision and management of a rest centre. Last year, the Longford team was on call for almost 100 duties, including sports fixtures, the Longford show, the Royal Canal run, the Longford marathon, the Halloween Dead of Night Festival as well as multiple festivals up and down the length and breadth of County Longford. These people embody the very best of what this country is about. It rightly behoves me to say the people in Longford are not only very proud of this organisation but are incredibly protective of it. I pay tribute in particular to Emma Reid, our Civil Defence officer. The tradition of the Civil Defence runs deep in her family. I see first-hand her dedication and I know this, in turn, is reflected in the commitment of her team, who not only admire and look up to her but respond greatly to her leadership.

It would be remiss of me if I did not remind the Minister of the need for a dedicated home for Longford Civil Defence. It recently took possession of a new comms vehicle, which will greatly assist in health and safety operations as well as search and recovery operations. All too often, the Civil Defence has to step forward and be there for families in the worst of times. Again, we see the very best of people in these situations. Longford is rightly proud of our Civil Defence.

The point for the Minister to take away from today's debate is that Longford Civil Defence deserves a headquarters that befits its stellar efforts. I am confident that positive moves in this regard are under way. I would like to see the goal of a new Civil Defence headquarters for Longford achieved during the lifetime of this Government.

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