Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I propose to take Question Nos. 52 and 53 together.

Emergency planning in this country is structured around the "lead Department" principle, which means that whoever is responsible for an activity in normal conditions will maintain that responsibility during a major emergency. The advantage of this approach is that the professionals, who deal with a particular sector on a daily basis, can bring their skills and expertise to bear and they can quickly identify who is best placed to provide support in an emergency situation. It is the model that is followed in many countries.

At a national level, the Government task force on emergency planning provides strategic direction and co-ordination of emergency planning. The task force, which I chair, was established after the 11 September 2001 attacks and is comprised of Ministers and/or senior officials from all Departments and key public bodies.

The task force provides a forum for keeping emergency planning high on the agenda of all Departments and it examines cross-cutting issues that impact across the Government. It is a forum for sharing information and, from time to time, experts are invited to make presentations to the task force on any emerging emergency planning issues. Regarding the streamlining of emergency planning, there is a constant review of emergency structures, practices and procedures to ensure lessons learned from emergency responses are implemented and that there is an ongoing improvement in our response to emergencies.

The Office of Emergency Planning is a joint civil-military office with a staff complement of five. The office is located at my Department's headquarters in Newbridge. The National Emergency Co-ordination Centre is located in Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin. Staff are assigned and based in the National Emergency Coordination Centre during emergency activations and as required for other activities held there.

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