Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 27: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will continue the programme of major simulated exercises of the Task Force on Emergency Planning; when the next major simulated exercise is due to be run; the scenario that will be simulated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2796/07]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 64: To ask the Minister for Defence when the public information campaign on emergency planning is expected to commence; the reasons the campaign is being undertaken; the research on which it is based; the nature and extent of the campaign; the number of simulated exercises that have taken place in 2005 and 2006; the plans for further simulated exercises in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2789/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 64 together.

As chairman of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, I have stressed, on many occasions, the importance that I attach to departments and key public authorities having structured exercise programmes in place.

I believe that the development of these programmes is essential in order to refine and develop the arrangements that exist, to improve them through review and revision, and to generally provide the basis for an increased confidence in the emergency planning process. The Deputy will be aware that specific responsibility for emergency planning functions remains with the relevant lead government department and it is a matter for each department to implement its own structured exercise programme.

It is intended that structured exercises will play a part in the public information and awareness campaign on emergency planning which is to get underway in the near future. The campaign, which was approved by Government in October 2006, is being undertaken to raise public awareness of the ongoing work on emergency planning being undertaken by government departments and public authorities. The campaign will also advise the public that they too have a responsibility to make preparations and take some precautions.

Following consultation with government departments and key public authorities involved in emergency planning, I decided, in late 2005, to initiate a market research programme into public attitudes and awareness of emergency planning in Ireland. The results of this research found that public awareness of emergency planning issues is low.

Based on the results of this market research, a communications company was commissioned to devise a strategy on the approach to be taken by Government for implementation of the campaign. A request for tenders in respect of advertising and PR services for the campaign was issued in November 2006 through the EU Journal. Tenders have been received and are being examined by my Department at present.