Alan Kelly (Labour)

I thank the Minister. This is something simple for which the Government will get quite an amount of support, and kudos, if it can introduce a practical step in this regard. Communities know their requirements. In many cases they seek to get defibrillators on the basis of something that has happened or been narrowly avoided, perhaps, which spurs them on, etc. People know their communities and their own requirements. I do not believe people will overstretch themselves in the sense that they will look for too many. There is no issue as regards the Exchequer.

The suggestion by Senator Twomey and the Minister that some form of grant mechanism — as instanced in the precedent outlined — might be put in place is welcome. I believe there would be unanimity on that and if it were to be put forward everybody would support it. I suggest the Minister, Deputy O'Dea, emphasises this when speaking to his colleague, the Minister for Finance.