Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all of the Senators for their contributions to this discussion.

Most emergency situations, including severe weather events, are responded to and managed locally and regionally. While the response is co-ordinated and managed at a local level in the first instance, as was the case last winter, the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government has the lead role with regard to the response at a national level to severe weather events. As such, it can convene at short notice, the national emergency co-ordination group for severe weather comprising 27 different Departments and agencies in support of this local response, should it be required. The convening of this group brings a whole-of-government response to bear in dealing with crises.

Last winter the aforementioned group met in advance of Storm Desmond on 4 December and convened daily from 7 December until 13 January in response to the severe weather and flooding that resulted. The overall co-ordinated response at local, regional and national level was extremely effective in minimising the damage to property and residents at that time.

If Senators would like more information on the flooding in December 2015 and January 2016, I urge them to read the report prepared on it by the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.In addition, the OPW has published on its website a progress report on the interdepartmental flood policy and co-ordination group which deals with a broad range of flood risk policies and measures and the manner in which they should be implemented. While we have tried and tested generic response mechanisms, we cannot be complacent when dealing with preparations for severe weather events and the potential dangers they pose, particularly during the winter months. The Be Winter-Ready campaign reinforces the national emergency co-ordination group by encouraging to be prepared to stay safe and also to know where to find help if needed or required. We have made significant strides in promoting the Be Winter-Ready campaign over the last six years. I am sure we are all agreed that is a cost effective and efficient campaign that brings together all State resources to promote the central message of resilience.

As I said earlier, community resilience is vitally important in dealing with severe weather emergencies and assists the front-line emergency services greatly. I take this opportunity acknowledge the excellent work of all our front-line services, particularly those who have to work in severe weather conditions. However, I would also like to highlight the continued and dedicated work of individuals, community groups and voluntary emergency services for the essential assistance they provide throughout the country, in particular to the vulnerable in our communities during severe winters. This year, the Be Winter-Ready campaign is concentrating on promoting public awareness of flooding and how to prepare for such events and on driving safely during the winter months. We all need to take road safety seriously. It is a particular problem during the winter months. The Road Safety Authority has been actively campaigning, as part of the Be Winter-Ready campaign, to promote greater road safety during the winter months.

A number of Senators raised particular issues, including the issue of flood insurance cover. The OPW and Insurance Ireland have agreed a system of information sharing in regard to the flood alleviation schemes. The Department of Finance and the OPW also meet on a quarterly basis with Insurance Ireland to discuss the availability of flood insurance cover. The Minister of State, Deputy Seán Canney, is on top of this issue. As Members will be aware dealing with insurance companies can be difficult at times.