Minister O'Dea pays Tribute to Civil Defence Volunteers
The Minister for Defence, Mr. Willie O'Dea TD has today met with local Civil Defence volunteers in Shannon Banks to personally thank them for their outstanding work on the ground in helping people cope with the horrendous flooding situation. Minister O’Dea paid tribute to the volunteers by calling them ‘the great-unsung heroes of Irish life’.
"Over many decades Civil Defence has developed on a national basis into a first class emergency response service working in support of all the mainstream emergency services. This has been all too clear over the past week both here in Shannon Banks and across the country. Civil Defence volunteers are the great-unsung heroes of Irish life. They have met the many challenges head-on by providing expertise and vital assistance on the ground. They have demonstrated their commitment, flexibility and professionalism for the benefit of entire communities throughout the country. They work seamlessly with their colleagues in the frontline services such as the Fire Service and the Gardai. Today I thank them and pay tribute for their outstanding work every day of the year but particularly over recent days. I also thank their families for their support. The life of a Civil Defence volunteer is a difficult and time consuming one," stated Minister O'Dea.
“Today on behalf of the Government and myself I thank each and every Civil Defence volunteer who carry out their duties so professionally. Sadly the flooding situation continues in many parts of the country and the work by Civil Defence volunteers must go on but my visit here to Shannon Banks today has provided me with a timely opportunity to express my deep appreciation and respect,” concluded Minister O’Dea.
Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea greeting Civil Defence Volunteers on flood relief duties at Shannon Banks. Included in the photograph are:
Civil Defence Board Member, Michael Sheehan; Civil Defence Board Chairman, Joe Meagher; Civil Defence Director General, Bill Smith; Clare Civil Defence Officer, Liam Griffin; Director of Services, Clare County Council, Ger Dollard and Clare Civil Defence Volunteers
|