merrion street

The Minister for Justice, Equality & Defence, Mr Alan Shatter, T.D., today 17th February 2012, officially opened a new facility for local Civil Defence Volunteers at Mountmellick, Co. Laois.  The impressive new facility which has been put in place by Laois County Council caters for Civil Defence training needs in the area.  The Minister said “I am delighted to be here today to formally open this new facility and to get the opportunity to meet the Civil Defence Volunteers and to give recognition for the great service that you provide to the community”.

Referring to Civil Defence involvement in the recent tragic events in West Cork, the Minister commended the Volunteers for their response and stated that “Civil Defence have demonstrated their ability to work seamlessly in support of the front-line services; the Fire Service, HSE, Coastguard and, of course, the Gardaí with whom the Civil Defence here in Laois have forged a particularly strong relationship”.

The Minister also reiterated the Government’s continued support for Civil Defence and took the opportunity to refer to the forthcoming legislation that will see the functions of Civil Defence return to the Department of Defence.  Commenting on this, the Minister said “I see this as a very positive step for the Civil Defence organisation and I have no doubt that Civil Defence will continue to flourish as part of the Department of Defence”. Before finishing, the Minister congratulated the local Volunteers on their new centre and acknowledged their unselfish contribution to their local community.