Terry Brennan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the local voucher scheme introduced by Dundalk Chamber of Commerce recently. This initiative will encourage shoppers to shop locally, thus encouraging and boosting local businesses. More than 100 businesses in and around Dundalk have already signed up to the voucher scheme. Vouchers will be validated for a two-year period. The scheme is all about buying locally, supporting local businesses and sustaining local jobs. Dundalk Chamber of Commerce should be congratulated and applauded on introducing this initiative. It should be widely supported by townspeople and those living in the wider hinterland of Dundalk.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, CPR, and defibrillators have been mentioned in the House by Senators, particularly Senator Quinn. I recently saw somebody brought back to life by an individual who was able to complete CPR on him while awaiting a defibrillator. When the defibrillator arrived seven or eight minutes later, it brought the man back to life. He is alive and well. There is a need for an urgent debate on this. Everybody in this House should certainly be able to deliver CPR, if necessary, in an emergency. I cannot emphasise enough the importance of CPR to ensuring it will not be too late when a defibrillator arrives. Training in the use of defibrillators is required urgently for as many people as possible throughout the country.