Martin Daly (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am reassured by the Tánaiste's answer regarding the Army's role in dealing with any future natural disaster. We must put it in the context of the devastation that was caused on the west coast, most especially in the Roscommon-Galway constituency that I represent but also in west Galway, Leitrim and Cavan. Forests were blown down, roads were blocked, water supplies were cut off and people had no electricity. In some cases, people did not have water supplies for up to 20 days. This was an intolerable situation. It was unprecedented. I pay tribute to ESB Networks, local authority workers, voluntary groups, sports groups and emergency hub workers.

However, I feel it was important, and people on the ground would have liked the visibility of the Army out on the ground helping people in that situation.

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