Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. Táimid breá-sásta go bhfuil Sinn Féin ábalta tacú leis an mBille seo agus go bhfeicimid go ndéanann sé ciall áirithe agus go bhfuil sé ag cur in ionad socruithe praiticiúla a rachaidh chun tairbhe na seirbhíse. Tá, áfach, cúpla ceist gur mhaith linn a ardú chomh maith céanna. I welcome the Minister of State to the House. As he stated, the Bill deals with the functions of the Civil Defence Board and provides for its functions to be transferred from the board to the Department. On balance this seems to be a very sensible proposal and the Bill seems to be sensible legislation. I have some concerns with regard to the application of this at local level, a point to which I will return presently.

Civil Defence offers backup, and we have heard numerous examples given, to the full-time emergency services and provides casualty, rescue, auxiliary fire and welfare services when needed, usually at times of major emergencies. The work of Civil Defence is largely voluntary and those who give up their time to serve their fellow citizens in times of emergency, danger and tragedy deserve our commendation. I pay tribute to the work done by Civil Defence. We could turn on "Reeling in the Years" on television for any year and there is every likelihood we will see the men and women of Civil Defence, with their distinctive blue triangular logo, assisting in rescue efforts following large tragic accidents or assisting in flood relief efforts and various other emergencies. They are versatile, reliable and courageous and deserve all of our praise and support. I hope in the new framework whereby Civil Defence is under the auspices of the Department rather than the Civil Defence Board that Civil Defence will still be able to provide as good a service as it has since its establishment in 1950.

How will the change impact on the way Civil Defence functions and co-operates with local authorities? The good relationship which existed meant that the response was always very quick and their local knowledge was invaluable in ensuring that the resources of Civil Defence were used effectively. I hope this can be maintained. Has the Minister given any thought to how that might remain the case? How will he ensure that local voices are heard at a national level and there is a good level of feedback? I appreciate the Minister reassured the Dáil previously that the connection between Civil Defence and the local authorities will continue and will not be affected in any shape or form, which is positive. However, some elaboration on the point would be welcome and I ask him to highlight how it will be maintained.

Responding to local emergencies is where town councils came into their own. A good example is Clonakilty, west Cork, where town councillors were to the fore in directing and supporting responses and assisting local residents and businesses. I regret that the council will shortly no longer be part of our system of local government and this is one respect in which they will be missed. I accept that previous positive measures in terms of the relationship between the Civil Defence Board and the local authorities will be retained, with the Department taking the place of the board.

Section 12 provides that each local authority, within a year of the board being dissolved, must submit a new Civil Defence plan to the Minister. Section 14 enables the Minister to pay each local authority a grant out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas for expenditure related to the performance of Civil Defence functions. It is positive that savings can be achieved in this area without a significant effect on the provision of services. I understand savings of ¤60,000 per annum will be achieved, which I welcome. My party holds the view that savings which can be achieved in areas such as these, which are related to community services, should be directed back into the community rather than making its way towards bondholders or general coffers as so much of the public finances seems to do. Will the Minister of State state whether these savings will be directed towards the community? Sinn Féin previously attempted to ensure that money was ring-fenced for community use. We brought forward proposals to ensure the proceeds of crime, confiscated by CAB, were ring-fenced for use in the community concerned. This is a sensible proposal and I ask the Minister of State to explain why he believes such ring-fencing of funds cannot be brought about.

It is also positive that the legislation may affect the operation of the Civil Defence Board in terms of the operation of emergency responses. Following the publication of the Bill, the Chairman of the Civil Defence Board, Mr. Brian Spain, appeared before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality. He stated that the decision to bring Civil Defence at national level back into the Department of Defence is a positive development for the organisation and moves Civil Defence more towards the centre of emergency planning arrangements at the highest level. He continued that the director general now regularly attends meetings of the Government task force on emergency planning along with colleagues from the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces. It is reassuring to know that Civil Defence is happy with the change.

It is vital that the Government ensures that Civil Defence is adequately resourced in terms of training. Mr. Bill Smith, at the Oireachtas joint committee, noted that there was a capacity problem locally in terms of accommodation and training facilities. My party feels this needs to be examined and rectified.

Go ginearálta, cuirimid fáilte roimh an reachtaíocht. Tá ciall áirithe ag baint leis an gcónasc agus leis an ath-eagar seo atá á dhéanamh aige. Mar a dúirt an Seanadóir Ó Domhnaill romham, áfach, an rud atá tábhachtach agus sinn ag dul chun cinn ná go ndéanfar cinnte go mbeidh acmhainní cuí ar fáil do na fir agus mná cróga, díograiseacha a bhíonn ag obair sa Chór Cosanta Sibhialta agus go bhfaighidh siad an tacaíocht atá ag teastáil uathu ionas go mbeidh siad in ann leanúint ar aghaidh leis obair iontach a dhéanann siad.