Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join my colleagues in complimenting the Minister of State on successfully bringing the Bill through the Houses, streamlining the process and bringing the Civil Defence organisation within the remit of the most appropriate Department. I pay tribute to the members of the board who have served the organisation well during the years and thank them for their service. With other Members, I acknowledge the voluntarism involved in Civil Defence and the tremendous work done on an ongoing basis. Its members are visible in times of crisis such as the instances of major flooding referred to, but they are also very much appreciated, although less visible, at the various large events and festivals held throughout the year. They give people a sense of security in that if anything goes wrong, skilled personnel are available to deal with emergencies.

I very much welcome the Minister of State's commitment that staffing levels and the resources required by Civil Defence into the future will be maintained. I have no doubt that with Civil Defence working closely with the local authorities, the Minister's Department and the Army, the excellent service we have received will continue. We do not pay tribute often enough to the emergency services for the work they do 365 days of the year in assisting communities to deal with emergencies while most of us are asleep in our beds. We cannot acknowledge enough the tremendous work done by the emergency services and, on a voluntary basis, the very many people involved in Civil Defence who help to supplement the efforts of the paid emergency service workers. Well done to the Minister of State and congratulations on streamlining the process. What he has done is wise. We are now looking at what could be done better, which is a positive and welcome move.