Johnny Guirke (Meath West, Sinn Fein)

This evening, I want to recognise the hard work of the volunteers in Meath and right across the country. Among them are Meath River Rescue volunteers who have shown unwavering dedication day in, day out and are always on call.

Meath River Rescue was established in 1996 by a group of local swimmers and divers who saw a need to protect and serve our waterway communities. The founders consisted of six members and the group has grown over time to its present membership of 25. In 2013, its headquarters was built in Navan, funded in conjunction with Meath Partnership. This facility stands as a sign of hope and readiness and is a home base for training, co-ordination and swift response. All Meath River Rescue members are volunteers. These volunteers give up days and weeks of their time and employment while carrying out searches, often in difficult or unpredictable conditions.

Meath Civil Defence is a volunteer-based organisation that supports front-line emergency services and assists our local communities. It is a nationwide network with over 2,000 volunteers. They work alongside front-line responders in dealing with severe weather, flooding, major accidents, firefighting and the search for missing people.

As well as these two organisations, I thank the front-line services and all the men and women in them working to ensure the safety of others. I have witnessed with deep gratitude the brilliant work of Meath Civil Defence and volunteers from neighbouring counties during the Moylagh JFK 50 Mile Challenge. They spent close to 24 hours straight assisting walkers and runners, ensuring the safety of participants in the challenge. Meath Civil Defence and Meath River Rescue, along with Boyne Fishermen's Rescue and Recovery, local kayak clubs and many volunteers, have been out in my own constituency for weeks. They have been taking part and leading searches for a number of missing people. They cannot receive enough credit for their tireless efforts, always on call and never complaining. All they could do with is more help and sustained supports to ensure they can be assisted with these searches. Their courage needs support, resources, funding and ongoing training to keep them equipped for whatever challenges arise. Meath River Rescue needs new equipment but there has to be funding in place for these sorts of organisations that assist in search and rescue. Its jet boat is ten years old.

It is fair and essential to acknowledge the important parallel with organisations such as the Irish Coast Guard search and rescue, and the indispensable work of Meath River Rescue, Meath Civil Defence and the Boyne Fishermen's Rescue and Recovery. It is crucial the Government ensure adequate supports are always available for these workers and volunteers, as well as consistent funding, access to equipment, regular training opportunities and reliable backup co-ordination. To every volunteer who has given up time, energy and sometimes employment opportunities to help others, we say, "Thank you." Your courage shines and is an inspiration to us all.

I ask the Minister of State to support these organisations in Ireland that take part in search and rescue operations. These organisations are made up of volunteers who often do not get the credit or support they deserve from the State.

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