Written answers

Tuesday, 19 January 2010

Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Emergency Planning

9:00 pm

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 841: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the meetings of the National Emergency Co-ordination Committee held in October, November, December 2009 and to date in January 2010; the location of each meeting; the items on the agenda of each meeting; the persons who attended these meetings; the department, agency or organisation that these persons represented; the agreed actions resulting from each meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1479/10]

Photo of John GormleyJohn Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The National Emergency Response Co-ordination Committee is a non standing committee and it was convened for the recent flooding and severe weather events. Its primary purpose is to bring together a whole of Government approach, and to this end it facilitates the exchange of information, ensures co-operation between various Government Departments, statutory agencies, the Defence Forces and voluntary bodies, and ensures that decisions on various matters are made where necessary in responding to a serious emergency event having country wide implications. It is also informed by reports from the various bodies at local level on the progress of local co-ordination and inter-agency arrangements in responding to the emerging events and on any issues which may require direction from the central level. In the event of certain emergencies, my Department has the chairing and co-ordinating role in relation to the emergency response. The Committee concerning the flood event met on 11 occasions in November and December, 2009, until the conclusion of the emergency response co-ordination task. The Committee concerning the severe weather met on 10 occasions to-date in January 2010, including a preliminary meeting of relevant Departments and agencies on 5 January which met in my Department. All other meetings were held in the National Emergency Coordination Centre in Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin. A further meeting has been arranged for Thursday, 21 January.

The agenda for each meeting was in a standard format dealing with the current situation, emerging issues, public information and safety messages. The organisations participating in the Committee differed during the two events, and also changed over the duration of the emergencies as issues arose and were addressed. Also, the representation of any Department or Agency may vary, depending on the subject matter under discussion. A table follows which lists the Departments and Agencies represented at both Committees. The actions agreed at meetings generally centred on actions to be taken by the local authority sector, National Roads Authority, Health Services Executive, arrangements for seeking the assistance of the Defence Forces and generally to ensure that co-ordination of actions by various bodies and agencies were complementary and inclusive. Examples of such actions were the acquisition of salt for the road network, improved public information, water conservation campaign, road safety, ensuring co-ordination of inter-agency activities, where necessary, and the provision of briefing. It is a sound fundamental principle of emergency management internationally that the response to emergencies builds from the basic organisational units with capability to respond, in Ireland's case that is from the local units of an Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive and the local authorities. Generally due to the operation of a high level of inter-agency co-ordination arrangements at central and local levels as set out in the Framework for Major Emergency Management, formally commenced in September 2006, the requirement for direct action by the Committee was minimised.

TABLE

Representation at National Emergency Response Co-ordination Committees

OrganisationFlooding CommitteeSevere Weather Committee
Government Department
Environment, Heritage & Local GovernmentXX
TransportXX
Justice, Equality & Law ReformXX
Health & ChildrenXX
DefenceXX
TaoiseachXX
Education and ScienceXX
Agriculture, Fisheries & FoodXX
Communications, Energy & Natural ResourcesXX
Social & Family AffairsX
FinanceX
Enterprise, Trade and EmploymentXX
Other Agencies
Defence ForcesXX
Irish Coast GuardX
Office of Emergency PlanningXX
Met EireannXX
Office of Public WorksX
Health Service ExecutiveXX
Electricity Supply BoardXX
An Garda SíochánaXX
City & County Managers AssociationXX
Health & Safety AuthorityNational Roads AuthorityXXX

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