John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 9: To ask the Minister for Defence further to parliamentary Question No. 313 of 7 July 2010, when the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning was established; the number of times it has met to discuss emergency planning issues; the expert advice which has been received by the group to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38077/10]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 214: To ask the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Questions No. 202 of 27 May 2010 and No.10 of the 8 July 2010, the details of the membership or employees name, position held, location, staffing grade and so on of each office, committee or group respectively (details supplied); when each committee, office or group was established; if it is still in operation; the terms of reference, functions and remit of same; the total cost to the State per annum, in any; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37535/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Question Nos. 9 and 214 together.

There are two committees dealing with emergency planning that come under the aegis of my Department, namely the Government taskforce on emergency planning and the interdepartmental working group on emergency planning.

The Government taskforce on emergency planning, which was established in 2001, is comprised of Ministers and-or senior officials from all Departments and key public bodies that have a role in emergency planning and response. The taskforce supports co-ordination of emergency planning across Departments and agencies. It provides a forum for keeping emergency planning high on the agenda of all Departments and it examines cross-cutting issues that impact across Government.

The taskforce meets on a regular basis. The most recent meeting was held on Thursday last, 14 October, which was its 67th meeting. The interdepartmental working group was also established in 2001. It supports the work of the Government taskforce and carries out specific tasks under the direction of the taskforce. It has met on 57 occasions. The most recent meeting took place on 20 September 2010.

The taskforce is a forum for sharing information among the key stakeholders and much of the expert advice is provided from within the taskforce. External experts are invited to make presentations to the taskforce from time to time on a range of emergency planning issues. The taskforce has recently sought expert advice for drawing up a template which will inform Departments and agencies of the key benchmarks against which emergency responses may be reviewed. The work is currently being carried out by the Dublin City University business school and will be completed shortly.

Representation on the taskforce can be at ministerial level or, more usually, at senior official level while representation at interdepartmental working group is at senior or middle management level. The names of the officials currently serving on the Government taskforce on emergency planning and the interdepartmental working group are listed in the tabular statement which will be circulated. There is no additional cost to the State arising from either of these committees as the officials attend and participate as part of their normal duties. The office of emergency planning is a joint civil and military office within the Department, which supports the Government taskforce and the interdepartmental working group. The office also manages the National Emergency Co-ordination Centre, which was activated during last winter's severe weather events and during the volcanic ash emergency that occurred in April to May of this year. All costs associated with the office of emergency planning and with the National Emergency Co-ordination Centre are met from the Defence Vote.

Membership of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning:

(Principal and Deputy Representative)

Mr. Tony Killeen T.D.,

Minister for Defence (Chair)

Office of Emergency Planning

Fred Bradley

Col Declan Hayes

Jerry Kelliher

Department of Defence

Brian Spain

Michael O'Boyle

Defence Forces

Major General Ralph James

Col S. O'Giollain

Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Martin Heraghty

Joe Shortall

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Aidan Ryan

Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs

Mary Hurley

Department of Education and Skills

Martin Hanevy

Brian Brogan

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation

Brian Whitney

John Newham

Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Des Dowling

Sean Hogan

Met Éireann

Gerald Fleming

Aidan Kelly

The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland

Dr. Ann McGarry

Dr. Tom Ryan

Department of Finance

Patricia Coleman

Derek Moran

Office of the Revenue Commissioners

Gerard Moran

Finbar O'Leary

Office of Public Works

Tony Smyth

Les Lennox

Department of Foreign Affairs

Barrie Robinson

Tim Mawe

Department of Health and Children

Dr. Tony Holohan

Luke Mulligan

The Health Service Executive

Gavin Maguire

Pat O'Riordan

Department of Justice and Law Reform

Ken O'Leary

Martin Power

An Garda Síochána

Assistant Commissioner Noreen O'Sullivan

Chief Supt. Pat Hogan

Department of Social Protection

Brian O'Raghallaigh

Paul Carroll

Department of An Taoiseach & GIS

Philip Hamell

Ray Henry

Government Information Service & Press Office

Eoghan O'Neachtain

Kate O'Toole

Department of Tourism Culture and Sport

Paul Bates

Susan McGrath

Department of Transport

Dermot McCarthy

Eddie Burke

Membership of the Inter-Departmental Working Group on Emergency Planning:

(Principal and Deputy Representative)

Office of Emergency Planning

Mr. Fred Bradley (Chair)

Col. Declan Hayes

Comdt Larry Rooney

Ann Corrigan

Department of Defence

Michael O'Boyle

Defence Forces

Lt. Col M. Smyth

Comdt. Patrick Power

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

Joe Shortall

John Byrne

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Aidan Ryan

Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs

Mary Hurley

Department of Education and Skills

Brian Brogan

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation

John Newham

Richard Barry

Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Sean Hogan

The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland

Dr. Ciara McMahon

Dr. Catherine Organo

Department of Finance

Derek Moran

Dermot Keane

Office of the Revenue Commissioners

Finbar O' Leary

Office of Public Works

Les Lennox

Department of Foreign Affairs

Ray Walker

Department of Health and Children

Luke Mulligan

Peter Hanrahan

The Health Service Executive

Gavin Maguire

Pat O'Riordan

Department of Justice and Law Reform

Dermot Woods

Nellie Dennehy

An Garda Síochána

Det Supt. Liam King

Det. Insp. Brian O'Reilly

Department of Social Protection

Paul Carroll

Vincent Hegarty

Department of An Taoiseach

Ray Henry

Mary Murphy

Government Information Service & Press Office

Kate O'Toole

Jacky Bryan

Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport

Paul Bates

Susan McGrath

Department of Transport

Eddie Burke

John Conroy

The Irish Coastguard

Chris Reynolds

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

What role does the Reserve Defence Force have in emergency planning? Has it been used during the past 12 months in the various weather emergencies that have occurred?

Could the Minister outline the various types of emergency for which we are preparing? Is he satisfied the Defence Forces are called out in a timely fashion? At times it appears the Defence Forces are called out very late in the day. Has any work been done to assess whether it would be better to call on the Defence Forces earlier than has been the case? I accept they cannot act on their own; they have to be invited to assist by the Garda or civilian authorities. Does the Minister agree it would be better if they were called in at an earlier stage in some cases? If that were the case they could provide greater help rather than at the last minute when the state of emergency has become acute. It appears the Defence Forces are seen as a last resort.

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am aware the Reserve Defence Force was deployed in at least one situation during the weather emergencies because I saw it happening. The Reserve Defence Force is available to be called in when the judgment is made that the Defence Forces are required. It is difficult to be specific or prescriptive about when to call in the Defence Forces. The Defence Forces are represented on the taskforce. The judgment is made at Defence Forces level in the area in which an incident is being dealt with.

There are either 43 or 46 individual emergency types set out in the framework. In each of those cases the lead Department is specified, as are the support agencies and Departments that would come into play in each case. The most recent emergency was the incidence of volcanic ash in which the Department of Transport was the lead agency. In the case of both the severe ice and snow and the prior flood events the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government was the lead agency, although in practice on the ground the local authorities were responsible. Prior to that the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food was the lead agency in the pork dioxin crisis. Immediately prior to that was the avian flu issue on which the Department of Health and Children was the lead Department. Many examples are set out and in each of them the lead Department is specified.

There is a question about the type of emergency involved, whether it is local, regional or national and whether, when, if and how a state of emergency ought to be declared. The taskforce has worked on some trigger mechanisms that give guidance in that regard. Inevitably, each crisis that is dealt with by the taskforce better informs the response for the next one. Many exercises are carried out jointly by agencies and Departments in anticipation of having to deal with emergencies.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The issue of personal liability for actions carried out during an emergency was brought to my attention by a senior local authority official. He told me members of the Garda Síochána are covered, as are members of the Health Service Executive. I assume members of the Defence Forces are covered. However, members of local authorities are not covered. Could the Minister shed light on that issue? If there is a problem, is there a proposal to deal with it?

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The issue of personal liability arose in the past three or four taskforce meetings I attended. A number of initiatives are under way in that regard. I understand the Department of Justice and Law Reform has introduced legislation to clarify the situation with regard to some personnel. As a general principle my understanding is that if people carry out whatever duties they undertake with due care and attention and in a professional manner their position is copper-fastened.

Issues have arisen in terms of intervention by individual householders in clearing ice on the footpath outside their premises or in the case of voluntary organisations being called in to support agencies to deal with an emergency. I do not refer to the Reserve Defence Force or the Civil Defence in this instance, rather a local sporting organisation. Issues arise in that regard. I have sought clarification from the Attorney General on how best we might address that. Regardless of legislative change I have no doubt but the principle of responsibility in the event of one doing something inappropriate would be likely to apply.