David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)

I want to join with previous Senators in passing on my condolences on the death of Garda Ciaran Jones, aged 25, from Manor Kilbride, who was killed when he was swept away while warning motorists about floods in the River Liffey in County Wicklow. We have heard many stories of bus drivers, taxi drivers and people from our emergency services who did a fantastic job last night in the face of unprecedented flooding. This House should have a discussion about the emergency plan put in place by Dublin City Council and by the emergency services. By all accounts it worked very well and it is important that we keep on top of these plans and ensure that the council and all the emergency services have the resources and the ability to deal with a crisis when it emerges. I commend those who were involved yesterday and I offer my sympathies to the family of Garda Ciaran Jones.

I would also like to offer my sympathies to the family of Deputy John Halligan, whose mother passed away. He is a fellow Oireachtas Member from my constituency.