Seanad debates
Tuesday, 20 June 2023
Civil Defence Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages
1:00 pm
Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, to the Chamber.
Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael)
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I wish to refer to the Civil Defence volunteers. While the Bill is being discussed in the House, it is important to put on record our thanks to all Civil Defence units and volunteers in all counties throughout the country for the work they do every single weekend. I think of my own local authority area in Longford. All through Covid and prior to that with flooding issues, we turned to the Civil Defence. It is important to put on record our thanks. During the last two weekends, I have been at numerous events, from the ordination last Sunday of the Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise, Paul Connell, to GAA matches, soccer matches, pony shows - you name it - supervised by Civil Defence members in the area. That is the one organisation people turn to for help should any issue arise. I want to put on record my thanks to all of those involved in the Civil Defence who volunteer and give their time to the communities throughout the county of Longford.
Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail)
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I echo what Senator Carrigy said. It is an opportunity for us to acknowledge the tremendous work that is being done all over the country by the Civil Defence. As we speak, my home town of Listowel is inundated with a flood that is probably biblical. This follows on from a similar one-in-500 years flood experience in Tralee at the weekend. We also had some very serious car accidents in Listowel over the weekend. All of the time, it is the Civil Defence who are called out. I want to take this opportunity to agree with Senator Carrigy that they deserve the greatest credit. I am sure the Minister of State knows that.
Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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When is it proposed to take Report Stage?
Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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Is that agreed? Agreed.
Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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When is it proposed to take Fifth Stage?
Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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Is that agreed? Agreed.
Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I acknowledge the Senators’ comments in regard to our Civil Defence volunteers, who are the first responders at many events in our community and do tremendous work. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, in particular, we saw the exceptional work they carried out during that period. It is a time that really hit hard among volunteers because training was not happening at that time. It is important we increase our force again. There are some 2,500 volunteers in the sector and there has been a 20% increase in the budget this year, which I know will go a long way. It is important we redevelop the legislation because the Civil Defence has been operating from almost archaic legislation on the Statute Book. This will modernise our Civil Defence and give it the tools it needs to support its services at the heart of our community. As I said on Second Stage, there is no family in our community that has not been touched by the work the Civil Defence does at many events, and many Senators specifically referenced those events in their contributions. I thank Members for their co-operation.
Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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When is it proposed to sit again?
Regina Doherty (Fine Gael)
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Tomorrow at 10.30 a.m.
Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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Is that agreed? Agreed.