Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I join Senator Ned O'Sullivan in welcoming the introduction in the Lower House of the Local Government (Establishment of Town Councils Commission) Bill 2017 by our colleague, Deputy Shane Cassells. Town councils should never have been abolished. The so-called Putting People First document which led to our councils being decimated, particularly in rural Ireland, does not contribute to putting people first. I would very much welcome the re-introduction of town councils to most major towns in our country.

Yesterday and today, Senator Craughwell raised very serious concerns about the Defence Forces. While I am aware that the Leader had scheduled the Minister of State at the Department of Defence, Deputy Kehoe, to come to the House a number of weeks ago, that had to be deferred. However, as a matter of urgency, we must have that debate. If possible, the Minister with responsibility for the Defence Forces, the Taoiseach, should be present for that debate.This is too serious an issue to be dealt with by a Minister of State. A number of weeks ago, as a result of a terrible tragedy, we found out there are not enough personnel in the Air Corps to fly our planes. In essence, we can only be invaded by appointment. While Senator Craughwell has made the point about a sovereign State allowing the Royal Air Force to fly over our airspace, I understand that is only in the case of an emergency. Unfortunately, the reality is that we have no other option. If there is a hijacked plane heading for the centre of Dublin, who is going to intervene? The sad reality is that by the time we get the personnel who are on standby to Baldonnel, a serious situation could have occurred. That alone is a very serious matter for the Air Corps, not to mention the low morale and depleted numbers in our Army. We need a serious and detailed debate on the situation and I would like to see the Taoiseach here in his capacity as the Minister responsible for the Defence Forces.