Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am grateful to have the opportunity to speak to this Bill. Our Civil Defence is highly regarded in every community. They are our neighbours and our family members. The amount of work they put into the Civil Defence is unimaginable and often overlooked. Tipperary Civil Defence, covering north and south Tipperary, has carried out amazing work all over the county, especially during the pandemic and when Ukrainian refugees arrived. Volunteers are out in all kinds of weather, be it good or bad, and go up mountains and into forests day and night. Let us be honest, in many situations, they are the first port of call when something goes wrong. For that alone, and for what they actually do, they are invaluable. The Civil Defence volunteers' ethos represents their community spirit and dedication. The amount of assistance every one of the individuals involved gives when people are in trouble cannot be underestimated, nor can their contribution to the holding of events. We can all name off events in our local areas. Volunteers really show their contribution during St. Patrick's weekend, which is in a few weeks' time. When we are out celebrating St. Patrick, Civil Defence members are there from early morning until the crowds disappear. That is when their real value is shown.

With that in mind, it is only right we discuss a Bill that seeks to update legislation. It is crazy to think some of the legislation has been there since the 1930s. For an organisation that contributes so much to our local communities and across the country, it is a pity that the legislation has been there for that long and has not been changed. We must back the need for the implementation of statutory changes that would reform the current legislation pertaining to Civil Defence organisations. This is especially important given the 2015 White Paper on Defence stated that the future of Civil Defence will continue to be developed around its central strategic objective of supporting the principal response agencies in the range of call-outs to which they attend. While we are updating this legislation on Civil Defence - make no mistake; this is highly positive - I hope we appreciate that for it to be truly effective, it must be accompanied by proper engagement with the members operating on the ground. They will give the Government and Opposition parties a real insight into the work they undertake on a daily basis and how it can be best carried out. Therefore, this is really important. It is especially important in the context of section 2(2)(e), which refers to the role of the Minister in procuring goods and equipment he or she considers necessary. Such engagement must be undertaken with the local authorities and the volunteers on the ground. I am thankful the Bill has been brought before the Oireachtas and Sinn Féin looks forward to it progressing through Committee Stage.

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