Dáil debates

Wednesday, 26 October 2011

Other Questions

Emergency Response Agencies

3:00 pm

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 12: To ask the Minister for Defence if he has satisfied himself with the level of support available to the Defence Forces to deal with severe weather emergencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31327/11]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

While the Defence Forces are not a principal response agency, as defined in the framework for major emergency management, they provide assistance in an Aid to the Civil Authority, ATCA, role under the multi-agency framework. Representation on the Government task force, by both my Department and the Defence Forces, ensures the fullest co-ordination and co-operation with the appropriate lead Department in the event of an emergency. The Defence Forces are also members of eight regional working groups that have been established under the framework in order to co-ordinate the work of the principal response agencies. Furthermore, on an ongoing basis, designated members of the Defence Forces, based around the country, act as liaison officers to local authorities and I am satisfied that this arrangement works well locally.

The various procedures that are in place, both nationally and locally, were seen to operate very effectively last winter as the Defence Forces responded to all requests for assistance received from the civil authorities during the period of severe weather which ran from 27 November to 26 December 2010. During this period, all assets, resources and capabilities of the Defence Forces nationally were made available to the task force, and its inter-agency co-ordination committee, for the purpose of providing assistance where it was not possible for other agencies and organisations to respond.

The inter-agency co-ordination committee, which met almost daily throughout the emergency, requested that, strategically, the Defence Forces would concentrate its support effort on the Health Service Executive, mainly with regard to mobility tasks. Approximately 70% of all ATCA operations conducted by the Defence Forces were in support of the HSE. This proved to be a very effective approach as transport was provided to HSE staff such as palliative care and community nurses visiting patients and in the transport of health workers, particularly doctors and nurses, to their place of work and between hospitals as the need arose. Assistance was also provided to those involved in the delivery of meals on wheels while focused ice and snow clearing operations were also carried out throughout the country, with particular efforts being made to maintain the safety of public infrastructure and key transport hubs.

A report on the review of the response to the severe weather events of 2009-2010 was recently published. I believe that the response of the Defence Forces proved to be extremely effective. Preparations to cope with the possibility of severe weather occurring during this coming winter are ongoing. Members of the interdepartmental working group on emergency planning, on which my Department and the Defence Forces are represented, are currently working to further develop a "whole of Government" approach to preparing for severe weather. A special meeting of the Government task force on emergency planning is scheduled for early November, when I will be briefed by Departments and agencies regarding their winter preparedness measures. Following that meeting, there will be an information campaign to let the public know what measures have been taken and what people can do for themselves in order to be better prepared in the event of severe weather occurring.

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I too want to acknowledge the work and the role of the Civil Defence and the Defence Forces, both recently and over the severe weather crises we have seen over the past number of years.

I wish to focus on one aspect of this work, the support provided to the HSE. Last winter, the Defence Forces provided substantial support throughout the country. One of the recommendations of the working group report is the purchase of key pieces of equipment that will be required in emergencies in the future. From a value for money perspective, it is not good value for the type of equipment that is only used in emergencies to be left lying idle. Would it not be better if strategic equipment, such as field ambulances and high body six-wheeled vehicles that can access flooded areas were purchased by the Defence Forces and made available where required?

What is the situation now with regard to the Air Corps and the grounded helicopters in the context of emergency evacuations that may be required where it is not possible to access a community in any other way?

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As the Deputy will know, the Defence Forces hold a wide range of engineering and transport plant and equipment for military purposes and all such plant and equipment suitable for use in emergencies and severe weather situations is made available as the need arises. The type of plant and equipment suitable for use includes: a 40 tonne crane; a heavy duty fork-lift; tracked and wheeled excavators; bulldozers; articulated dump trucks; integrated tool transport carriers; materials; handlers; water purification plants; and a variety of smaller plant excavators, generators, lighting sets, pumping equipment, water trailers and other items.

In the context of the snow event that occurred last winter, it was a particularly unusual event. There is an issue in circumstances where there are limited resources available as to how to make best use of resources as to what plant and equipment should be purchased and as to whether it is likely that such plant and equipment will be used or whether it could end up being stored for many years and not utilised. A broad range of issues arise in respect of which judgments must be made. I am anxious to ensure any essential equipment required for regular use is available so people's safety can be secured when at risk and so that people can be accessed in snow, flooding or where other climatic issues that arise. This issue has been under review and the emergency task force will consider it further at our forthcoming meetings.

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Does it not make more sense that the Defence Forces purchases equipment such as field ambulances and six-wheel vehicles with high bodies to be used in emergencies when they would be put to good use, rather than local authorities or civil defence teams purchasing them? We have the potential for serious issues this winter and, in an emergency, if someone must be transported from an isolated rural community such as those in County Roscommon to Galway University Hospital, we must consider how we will get them out. What steps are being taken to ensure the Air Corps has the capability to airlift patients out when no other vehicle can gain access?

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Air Corps has certain capabilities in that context. Recently, I visited Baldonnel and I had the opportunity to look at the helicopters that are available and talk to some of those in the Air Corps who have medical expertise and who engage in air and sea rescues and who also have the capacity to engage in the activity Deputy Naughten outlined. In an emergency, they would be available to assist the civil power. As we saw across the country this week, it is of crucial importance that the Civil Defence, which plays a very particular and important role, has essential facilities available, such as ambulances and other equipment. This was deployed with great effect in the events that took place on Monday evening. In circumstances where limited resources are available, judgments must be made about where equipment can be best positioned, whether it should be purchased and retained at local authority level or whether it should be acquired by the Civil Defence or the Defence Forces. Careful judgements must be made in circumstances of limited financial resources.

I cannot predict what weather we will experience this winter, any more than any other Member can. The weather events on Monday evening were extremely unusual, as were the snows of last winter. We do not know if we will have that experience again this winter or if it will not be repeated for five, ten or 15 years. Judgments must be made about resources and their location. I am familiar with some of the equipment to which Deputy Naughten refers, including the six-wheel vehicles, having seen them in use in the United States in major snow emergencies. They are usually purchased only in states that repeatedly experience the type of snow we had last winter, often for weeks on end.