John Cummins (Waterford, Fine Gael)

I again thank Senator Scahill. I too want to put on record my thanks to all the fire service personnel in the country who, when we often go in the opposite direction, run into danger in order to try to protect lives.

I confirm that a second external validation group review - No. 2 - has been commissioned by the management board of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management. That process is scheduled to begin in quarter 3 of this year, with the external validation group conducting in-person evaluation visits within each fire authority. That will be a positive as it will look at everything Senator Scahill has asked for, in terms of demographic movements and how we respond to events as they occur in a safe manner, while also ensuring we put in place the supports on the prevention side as well. I thank him for raising this important Commencement matter.