Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I, too, thank and praise the emergency workers, from all over the country and from overseas and Northern Ireland, but especially from the ESB. Those in the ESB always do their best in all kinds of trying situations.

We will have to seriously examine this. I have spoken to the Taoiseach about it, regarding having hubs set up. Most villages have a GAA hall, a community hall or rudaí mar sin. Many of them now have, as the House will be aware, spaces for working from local hubs and everything else. We will have to equip these people or give them grants to purchase generators because one central hub could look after half the parish as regards charging phones, showers and such practical issues. Ní neart go cur le chéile is a great phrase, and at the centre, the meitheal. We need that kind of approach, a meitheal approach, where people will support each other.

The farmers of Ireland came out and showed that they care for the communities and they helped everybody in clearing trees and everything else. It was horrible work. Too much health and safety went out the window. They had to be careful - an-chúramach - with fallen wires and things like that. They are careful. Many of them are experienced in dealing with all kinds of situations and they took care. They made sure roads were opened and people could get out and get in. I really do sympathise and empathise with the people in very remote areas who are still waiting to get power back. Years ago, anywhere ESB lines went through forests, there was a clear-fell pathway. I had one in my own area when the ESB installed in the 1990s for a cousin of mine. There was a whole chamber cleared away. These areas must be maintained and we must ensure trees along the roadside also must be removed. A tree fell on me one time when I was a buachaill óg with my late mum and my brother. It was an awful experience. It was a summer's day. Any trees that are overhanging should be cut back.

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