Gabrielle McFadden (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Like others, I commend the work done by different agencies over the weekend. The Defence Forces, the Civil Defence, county council staff, gardaí, fire and ambulance staff, HSE staff, volunteers and county councillors all over the country came out and worked beyond the call of duty. People cleared roads, took calls and in some cases worked 18 hours a day in the same manner as the Defence Forces. On numerous occasions I have asked about the pay and conditions of our Army personnel. I recently called for a debate on the subject with the Minister and I hope that would be facilitated in light of the fact that we have had bad weather and the Defence Forces came out and worked. Yet again, they rescued the town of Athlone as they did during previous flooding. I again ask for a debate on the matter. Like Senator Black, I call for the debate on councillors' pay and conditions to be brought forward, bearing in mind that they also worked beyond the call of duty over the weekend.

I also ask that people support local businesses. Family-owned small businesses tried to stay open during the recent bad weather to facilitate locals. Now that we are all back on the roads and are again shopping in large stores I ask people not to forget the small businesses which stayed open and tried to keep the country afloat during the bad weather. I ask that the Leader bring forward the debate on the pay and conditions of councillors and those in the Defence Forces.