Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 36: To ask the Minister for Defence the location of the firing ranges and training grounds located throughout the country; the precautionary mechanisms in place to protect the Defence Forces and civilians from injury during training and manoeuvres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38194/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following table:

There is a range of safety precautions in place designed to prevent injury to military or civilian personnel during a training exercise. Prior to any training exercise a comprehensive risk assessment for each aspect of the exercise is carried out and all necessary precautions are taken to address each of the risks highlighted. Each military firing range also has a set of range orders, which outline all required precautions that must be observed during a training event. All personnel involved in the exercise are issued with appropriate protective equipment for the taskings included in the exercise. Medical personnel and military police are also assigned as appropriate.

Arrangements in regard to safeguarding members of the public during military training exercises include, where appropriate, the prior notification of a scheduled exercise to the Garda Síochána in the area and the local community in the immediate vicinity of the exercise. Warning Signs are displayed on all major roads in the area and sentries are placed on approach roads to the exercise area. Warning flags and flashing lights are also displayed to further indicate the presence of exercise troops in an area. In certain cases notifications are advertised in the local and national press prior to the exercise taking place.

The safety of personnel, both military and civilian, during Defence Forces training exercises is of paramount importance to the Department of Defence and safety precautions are kept under review in order to achieve that objective.