Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

In answer to the Deputy's first question, this issue was examined. The Deputy is correct that following the events of 11 September 2001, the office of emergency planning was set up to co-ordinate the work of the various emergency services in preparing contingency plans. The task force on emergency planning, chaired by the Minister for Defence, meets frequently to assist in that role. It was suggested there be one unit but the Minister for Defence, through the office of emergency planning and the task force on emergency planning oversee the general area of emergency planning in order to promote the best possible use of State resources and to ensure compatibility between the different emergency planning requirements. The possibility of amalgamating responsibility for managing emergencies in a single agency was raised in the report of the Emergency Planning Society. As I stated previously, substantial costs would be associated with its suggested approach. Its responses to different types of emergency require different skills, experience and resources. It has been pointed out that dealing with a maritime oil pollution incident is different from reacting to a foot and mouth threat. For this reason, primary responsibility remains with the agency with the relevant expertise and knowledge.

The office of emergency planning has been established on an administrative basis. It is appropriate from time to time to consider whether the work of the office needs to be supported by a statutory framework relating to emergency planning. The Government will consider any detailed proposals which the Minister in the light of experience may wish to bring in this regard. A consolidation of services would cause a large duplication of services into a single unit and the expertise might not be used that much. During the foot and mouth crisis, we were able to call on expertise from the veterinary college and the Department of Agriculture and Food and personnel from the marine institute can be called upon in the event of a marine issue. It would be a costly exercise to bring everyone into one unit and it is considered unnecessary.

The other issue raised by the Deputy is not related to the work of this committee. The airport police and the Garda Síochána co-ordinated yesterday's response to the incident in Dublin Airport. The Garda sought the assistance of the explosive ordnance disposal unit which arrived on site yesterday afternoon. The Dublin Airport Authority contingency plans for evacuation worked smoothly. It was necessary to evacuate the airport because the individual not alone threatened to throw a bomb but he also stated he had placed another bomb. The disruptive procedure was therefore necessary for the protection of the staff and the travelling public. The Garda Síochána and the explosives ordnance disposal unit were on hand quickly to assist.

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