Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

I would like to be associated with the good wishes expressed to the Cathaoirleach, staff and Members of the House and hope they have a peaceful and happy Christmas.

As we brace ourselves for another bout of bad weather, I share Senator Ellis's concern about the resources available to local authorities. I am informed only 15,000 tones of grit and salt will be available until next Wednesday and if the weather deteriorates over the weekend our roads and infrastructure will be vulnerable. Thousands of local authority workers and volunteers from the Civil Defence, the Irish Red Cross and other organisations are now on stand-by around the country in case the bad weather comes to pass. The NRA and the national co-ordination centre need to get their act together because their response to date has not been good enough.

I understand an additional carbon tax will be levied on solid fuels from January. This could not come at a worse time for many families and elderly people who depend-----