Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

Emergency planning is developed on the "lead Department" principle. This means that each Department is responsible for planning for emergencies that fall within its area of responsibility. The framework for major emergency management sets out the structure enabling the principal response agencies, namely, the Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive and local authorities, to prepare for, and make a co-ordinated response to, major emergencies resulting from events such as severe weather.

In accordance with the framework, the Defence Forces act as a support to locally based services. All requests for the assistance of the Defence Forces are processed through the local authorities, the HSE and the Garda Síochána. This ensures that there is an efficient, effective and co-ordinated response in accordance with prioritised local requirements.

Standing arrangements are in place for the civil authorities to request the assistance of the Defence Forces. Requests for aid to the civil power are normally made by a member of the Garda Síochána not below the rank of inspector. Requests for assistance to local authorities are normally processed through local authority managers. Requests for assistance from the HSE are normally received from chief emergency management officers.

All assets, resources and capabilities of the Defence Forces throughout the country were made available to assist the civil authorities where and when called upon. Defence liaison officers were appointed to all local emergency relief centres to co-ordinate Defence Forces assistance. The Defence Forces provided assistance to a range of local authorities and to the HSE, utilising their 4x4 vehicles and trucks, while the Air Corps was also active in providing an air ambulance service and support for other emergency services. The type of assistance provided by the Defence Forces includes gritting operations on roads and key junctions in many counties; the transportation of health care personnel to and from hospital, clinics and to patients in outlying areas; the transportation of patients to hospitals and clinics; the distribution of food and supplies in a number of areas; the delivery of water supplies in a number of local authority areas; the provision of transport for the Garda Síochána in Cork; and the provision of a number of air ambulance missions across the country. An Air Corps helicopter was utilised to transport RTE engineers to repair a transmitter at Kippure Mountain in County Wicklow. The Air Corps provided assistance to farmers with cattle on islands in Lough Ree to move fodder to their stock, at request of the Garda Síochána.

The Defence Forces responded to all official requests for assistance received from the civil authorities during the severe weather period.

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