John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 13: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will report on the exercises in March 2005 to test the effectiveness of the national emergency plan; the success of the exercises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12391/05]

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 297: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will report on recent exercises undertaken to assess the effectiveness of the national emergency plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12330/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 297 together.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that a major emergency exercise, involving the south and south-eastern Garda regions, occurred on 22 March 2005 in Youghal on the inter-county boundary of Cork and Waterford. The exercise involved a simulated collision between a large passenger bus and a heavy goods vehicle with a hazardous load.

The Garda Síochána acted as the lead agency in the exercise, with support roles provided by the Army, naval sub-aqua divers, the Civil Defence, the Red Cross and the coast guard service, in addition to the three principal emergency services of counties Cork and Waterford.

The purpose of the exercise included: assessing the co-ordination of the emergency services, including the principal supporting agencies, in an emergency situation; assessing the impact of such an emergency; and evaluating the ability of each agency to provide the required service in the event of such an emergency. I am pleased to report that the exercise met its objectives and proved effective in demonstrating the preparedness of the various agencies to respond to a major emergency.

This major Garda-led exercise also received coverage in the national news media and, as well as serving to test the preparedness of the emergency services, served to promote public awareness of the response of these services to such emergency situations. Similar exercises are planned for the remaining Garda regions in the coming weeks.

Detailed arrangements are in place to ensure that all relevant agencies have appropriate plans in the event of a major emergency. Co-ordination between these agencies, and their associated plans, is guaranteed through the inter-agency protocols set out in the long established Framework for Co-ordinated Response to Major Emergencies. This framework document is currently the subject of extensive interdepartmental review, led by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, to ensure its continued currency and appropriateness.

I commend the Garda authorities for their proactive approach to the testing of their emergency plans and co-ordination issues thereon. I am confident that the exercise proved to be an invaluable learning experience for the agencies and personnel involved.