Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I agree that what worked well during a very difficult storm was the investment in community. We saw it in our own counties and constituencies where there had been investment in sports facilities, community facilities and vehicles. The ability of those local assets to be deployed and put to use stood up very well. I noticed, as would the Deputy, how many GAA centres, changing room facilities and all that were put to use.

What is absolutely needed is national leadership and co-ordination and I do not shirk this at all. During these events, we become so reliant on the local community response. I made this point recently in government and I will make it again today that it is very important that as well as the national plan that we see county-by-county plans. What happens if a council hears a bad storm is going to hit Wicklow or Wexford? What actions are taken, what do Wicklow County Council and Wexford County Council do, and how is that co-ordinated? That is the next piece. Good work is going on on that. Every county is meant to have its own plan but that is important. Satellite facilities are very important. We saw how dependent we have become on that.

With regard to a security review, there is the Office of Emergency Planning which has funding from the European Commission and support from specialists in the World Bank to conduct a comprehensive review of Ireland's emergency management approach and this is expected to be concluded by the end of the year.

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