Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy James Browne, to the House. I also welcome our guests, John, Celine and Jason, who have been promoting this legislation for a long time. They come from Senator Casey's neck of the woods. They are very welcome and I thank them for their work.

Given the passage of time, I would like to briefly outline the story behind this legislation. I pay tribute to my former colleague in the Seanad, Dr. Keith Swanick, who, as the Cathaoirleach will know, along with Senators Wilson, Paul Daly and Casey and Deputy Jim O'Callaghan, did a lot of work behind the scenes in bringing this legislation forward in 2017. I acknowledge the great work they have done. Our guests from Community First Responders Ireland have been promoting this particular cause for a long number years and continue to do so. As a society, we are deeply indebted to those individuals. I thank all of the first responders who give of their time to protect our communities. That is a great credit to them.

As we all know, there are approximately 2,000 defibrillators located in different areas across the length and breadth of this country.For many of them, the local community's hard work and fundraising are what has them there in the first instance. I acknowledge the work done by everyone from GAA clubs to other sporting organisations, all of which have contributed to putting those defibrillators in place. I acknowledge also first responders, without whom there would no point in having the equipment, given we would not be able to use it. They have taken out time to train themselves and keep themselves skilled in case they are called on in an emergency. They are there to come to the aid of their fellow citizens and I thank them for that most sincerely on behalf of the House, its Members and indeed every community in the country.

This legislation was introduced in 2017. The then Senator, Dr. Swanick, was of the opinion, as were all of us at that time, including the Cathaoirleach, that a new offence had to be created to deal with anyone who interferes with, steals or damages life-saving equipment. One example of such equipment is a defibrillator, while others include lifebuoys or life rings. Unfortunately, there have been many incidents, which appear to be on the increase, where these pieces of equipment are damaged. So far this year - we are only in the second month - I have come across approximately nine incidents in the country where defibrillators were interfered with, removed or damaged. The Cathaoirleach will know, coming from a coastal county, about the many lifebuoys and life rings that are constantly removed and damaged. I understand Dublin City Council spends something in the region of €20,000 per annum just to replace those rings.

As was mentioned by the then Minister of State on Second Stage in 2018, there is already legislation in place. Nevertheless, we believe, as do first responders, that there needs to be a definitive offence for anybody who interferes with, damages or removes life-saving equipment. I welcome the fact the Minister of State is appearing before the House to debate Committee Stage with a view to moving the legislation forward. Some of my colleagues were not here for the Second Stage debate but, if I recall correctly, all the Senators who were here, including Senator Ó Donnghaile, were in favour of the legislation and we tried to push the Department to move it forward. We have had negotiations with the Department about this matter and we hope to finalise those negotiations within the coming weeks in order that we can progress the legislation through the House within the coming months at the latest. From there, it will go to the Dáil, where Deputies will pick up the baton.

In conclusion, I thank the first responders, to whom we are deeply indebted, for taking time out of their day to attend the debate. I thank them also for the work they have done on behalf of the communities of this country. I look forward to the contributions of other Senators.