Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

Since taking office as Minister for Defence and attending these meetings, does the Minister have a concern about the state of preparedness of his or other Departments to deal with a natural disaster or nuclear fallout from Sellafield? Have members of the group expressed concern about our state of preparedness? Although I do not have detailed evidence, I believe we are ill-prepared for a natural disaster, irrespective of how we might talk up the situation. Have any members of the committee made proposals or suggestions of radical changes with a view to setting up a full-time group or organisation that might deal with co-ordinating reaction to any natural disaster? Is there any funding implication as a result?

See this speech in context