11 Noll 2012, 17:01
The Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and Defence will come before the Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality tomorrow, Wednesday, 12th December for the Committee stage of the Civil Defence Bill 2012.
The Bill provides for the dissolution of the Civil Defence Board; the transfer of certain functions of the Civil Defence Board to the Minister for Defence; and the repeal the Civil Defence Act 2002.
Deputy Stanton said: “As the national civil defence organisation of Ireland, Civil Defence plays a key role in aiding the full-time emergency services as and when required. Around 4,500 active volunteers gave up their time and are trained to a high degree of proficiency in a variety of areas, such as life-saving skills, first aid, fire fighting, search and rescue and radiation monitoring, at very little cost to the State.
In October, we had an enlightening and productive meeting with Civil Defence to discuss the role that it plays in helping our full-time emergency services and to help inform committee members of the functions and responsibilities of the organisation. Tomorrow, the Bill will receive detailed consideration and members will have the opportunity to propose and discuss any amendments to the legislation as published.”
This meeting will start in Committee Room 2, Leinster House at 12 noon on Wednesday 12th December.
Committee proceedings can be followed live at:
http://www.oireachtas.ie/ViewDoc.asp?fn=/documents/livewebcast/Web-Live.htm&CatID=83&m=o
For further information please contact:
Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551
Committee Membership
Deputies:
Niall Collins, Michael Creed, Alan Farrell, Anne Ferris [Vice-Chairman], Seán Kenny, Finian McGrath, Jonathan O’Brien, John Paul Phelan and David Stanton (Chairman).
Senators:
Ivana Bacik, Paul Bradford, Martin Conway, Rónán Mullen, Denis O’Donovan and Katherine Zappone.