Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 762: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the preparations which have been made by the Department for the predicted extreme weather conditions this winter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32842/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Department's primary concern is to ensure that, when severe weather conditions arise, the local authorities are geared to respond promptly and effectively to offset the worst effects of these conditions. The Department reminds local authorities each year of the need to ensure that all necessary arrangements are in place to deal with severe weather conditions. This includes the need to revise and update, as necessary, their contingency plans for dealing with the consequences of severe weather conditions. Local authorities are also reminded to ensure that arrangements are in place to take necessary action arising from early warnings from Met Éireann, the necessity to be proactive as regards public relations and information, and availability of equipment and stocks.

When a severe weather alert is forecast, local authorities mobilise their emergency crews, all of which should be fully briefed and competent in responding to emergencies in their own areas of responsibility. Each local authority also has a major emergency plan which can be activated in the case of any emergency which is outside the scope of normal services to deal with. Local authority emergency telephone numbers are published in local newspapers and broadcast on local radio when appropriate.

The maintenance of non-national roads, including measures to deal with the effects of severe weather conditions, is a matter for each individual local authority. To assist local authorities in this regard, the Department issued a detailed guidance memorandum on maintenance of essential services in severe weather conditions to local authorities in November 2000. The memorandum contains guidance for local authorities on a wide range of issues, including advice regarding snow clearance vehicles. The Department also reminds local authorities each year to ensure that winter road maintenance equipment is available for immediate use in all climate conditions and that snow clearance and salt spreading equipment is maintained in good working order. The most recent reminder to local authorities in this regard issued on 27 October this year.