Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 565: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will arrange a meeting between his Department and SIPTU operational fire fighters as requested by them in November last year to discuss the Major Emergency Management document; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18443/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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A new Framework for Major Emergency Management has been developed by the Inter-Departmental Committee on Major Emergencies. This Framework, when implemented, will provide a new and more comprehensive basis for the preparation of plans by An Garda Síochána, the Health Services Executive and Local Authorities to prepare for, and make a co-ordinated response to, major emergencies. The Framework development process included a major contribution from local authority fire services personnel with relevant expertise. There was also extensive consultation with, and circulation of the draft document to, Government Departments, An Garda Síochána, the Health Services Executive and the local authorities, including the local authority fire services.

In the circumstances, there are no plans for a meeting of the kind mentioned in the Question. The Framework is a high-level strategic document; it does not address the detailed response procedures of the relevant agencies in relation to specific incidents or hazards and, consequently, does not alter the current role of operational fire fighters.