Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 20: To ask the Minister for Defence when the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning last met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23775/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Government Task Force on Emergency Planning meets on a regular basis. The last such meeting was held on Wednesday 31st May 2006. This was the 47th meeting since the Task Force was established in 2001. I chair these meetings.

The membership of the Task Force includes Ministers, Senior Officials of Government Departments, Senior Officers of the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána, and officials of other key public authorities that have a lead or support role in Government Emergency Planning. Issues such as avian flu and any possible implications for human health are now standing items at Task Force meetings and the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Department of Health and Children provide comprehensive briefings on these matters.

The Task Force will continue to monitor and review these issues on a regular and ongoing basis.