John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

All local authority major emergency plans, including sub-plans for responding to severe weather events, are based on A Framework for Major Emergency Management, which became operative on 30 September 2008. The framework and the plans detail a co-ordination structure that enables the principal response agencies - local authorities, An Garda Síochána and the Health Service Executive - to work together to optimum effect and to integrate with other services including the Defence Forces and voluntary organisations. These co-ordination structures can be used whether a major emergency is declared. It is a principle of emergency management internationally that the response to emergencies builds from the basic organisational units with capability to respond. In Ireland, the principal response agencies are based locally and, where necessary, regionally.

As regards financial support for local authorities arising from the recent severe weather, details of extra costs that may arise are not yet available. The potential costs associated with roads repairs will be a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Transport. Costs that may arise in respect of the repair of water mains damaged by the frost and the supply of water to residents who lost mains water supply will be considered when full details are available.

Having attended the national emergency response co-ordination committee, and in light of the interaction of the various Departments and statutory agencies, I am satisfied there was an active and sustained response to the recent severe weather conditions by the local authorities and the other principal response agencies, with the support of the Defence Forces and co-operation of other statutory and voluntary bodies. It will be important to learn from experience and accordingly a review of the emergency response co-ordination and inter-agency arrangements will be undertaken. This will assist in determining what further improvements can be achieved and identifying any relevant lessons that can be learned from the experience here and in other European countries over recent weeks.

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