Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Daly for raising this important and timely question in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn, which brought a great deal of devastation to so much of our country, particularly, perhaps, to the Deputy's part of the country, namely the west, and to the north west.

I take this opportunity to recognise the contribution made by our Civil Defence units and our Defence Forces in helping those worst affected by the recent storm. As Tánaiste and Minister for Defence - in other words, as their Minister - I thank them for their service and for all they have done. I am particularly grateful to the Civil Defence volunteers who were unstinting in supporting their local communities. I had the opportunity, along with Deputy David Maxwell, to visit the Civil Defence volunteers in County Monaghan to see first hand what they were undertaking. Yet again, the work they engaged in is a reminder to all of us in this House and to people right across the country that we collectively owe the volunteers of the Civil Defence a huge debt of gratitude.

In regard to the Defence Forces, while they are not the primary response agency for non-security related emergencies they do of course where requested provide assistance to the appropriate lead Department in the event of a natural disaster or emergency situation in their aid to civil authority role. In the context of Storm Éowyn, the Defence Forces received and accommodated requests for assistance under the Government task force mechanisms from a number of agencies. They provided assistance ranging from air patrols of electricity lines by the Air Corps, the readiness to support the national ambulance service, they provided accommodation for prison staff during the red warning phase and provision and transportation of equipment and supplies, notably generators, to the affected areas.

My colleagues in government and I are mindful of the impact of this storm. Indeed, looking to the future, we made it clear to the State service providers that any lessons learned must be incorporated into future planning and to the development of the necessary resilience to minimise such impacts, should a weather event of this magnitude occur again. I understand that the review process will be led by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and my Department. The Office of Emergency Planning will engage in doing the same.

I understand the frustration of many of Deputy Daly's constituents, who may have been without power or water supplies for significant periods. In the context of this storm, a great deal of the technical expertise that was required may not have been readily available to the Defence Forces but was available to other agencies. We were trying in every way possible to provide practical assistance in terms of transporting equipment, providing accommodation and, as stated, having the Civil Defence very much on the ground to help the most vulnerable in affected communities.

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