Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 588: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of task forces currently operating in his Department; the membership and terms of reference; the name of each one; the estimated cost of the task force; if he will report on the progress being made by the task force; if they have made any recommendations to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3160/08]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 589: To ask the Minister for Defence the task forces established under the auspices of his Department in the past five years; the recommendations made by each task force; the progress being made in implementing these recommendations; if specific recommendations have been rejected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3175/08]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 590: To ask the Minister for Defence the task forces established under the auspices of his Department in the past five years; the cost of these task forces in terms of administrative support, expenses, research and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3190/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 588 to 590, inclusive, together.

In reply to the Deputy's questions I wish to state that I chair the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning. Membership of the Task Force includes ministers, senior civil officials of government departments, senior officers of the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána and officials from other key public authorities that have a lead role in emergency planning. There are no additional costs associated with the work of the Task Force.

The Government Task Force on Emergency Planning focuses on coordination and oversight of emergency planning across government departments and the promotion of best practice. The Task Force has met on 54 occasions since it was established in 2001 and I am very satisfied with the progress that has been made to date.