Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 104: To ask the Minister for Defence the precise nature, composition and operational structures of the national emergency plan; the number of times activated in 2009 and to date in 2010; the chain of command and the sequence in the event of a natural emergency or disaster; if a communications centre is set up and staffed; the number of personnel activated; the personnel required to attend meetings at national level since the November 2009 flooding; if all have attended; the decisions taken; the actions arising therefrom; if funding was sought or received; if all relevant Departments were activated and co-ordinated such as Civil Defence, the Defence Forces and other statutory bodies involved; if any changes are proposed in the wake of recent experience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1189/10]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, emergency planning in this country is based on the 'lead department' principle. This means that each department is responsible for assessing the risks, making appropriate plans and leading the response to those emergencies that impact on its areas of responsibility. In December 2008, in my capacity of Chairman of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, I brought a document to Government entitled 'Roles and Responsibilities in Emergency Planning'. This document, for the first time, identified the lead department and the supporting departments and agencies in over 40 emergency scenarios. It was prepared by the Office of Emergency Planning and was agreed by the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning.

The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is designated as the lead department in coordinating the national level response to severe weather emergencies. During the recent severe weather events, that Department chaired meetings of the National Emergency Response Committee, which included senior representatives from Government Departments, the Defence Forces, An Garda Síochána, Met Eireann, the National Roads Authority and other State Agencies that supported the response. The Committee examined all of the issues arising from the severe weather. It provided a forum for sharing of information and helped to bring about a coordinated a 'whole of government' response.

The National Emergency Coordination Centre was activated in support of the National Emergency Response Committee. Staff from the Office of Emergency Planning (civil and military) managed the Centre on an ongoing basis during the period of the emergency. It should be stressed that the principal operational response to severe weather emergencies takes place at the local level and is coordinated by the local authorities in accordance with the arrangements set out in the Framework for Major Emergency Management.

The Defence Forces, in their role as aid to the Civil Power (An Garda Síochána) and aid to the civil authority (i.e. local authorities, HSE, etc.) provided emergency assistance in an effort to alleviate the problems caused by the severe weather. All assets, resources and capabilities of the Defence Forces throughout the country were made available to provide this assistance, as required. The support provided by the Defence Forces included gritting operations carried out on roads, transportation of health care workers and patients, distribution of meals, delivery of water supplies, air ambulance missions and support of flooding relief work.

Civil Defence Units provided assistance to the Principal Response Agencies in the worst affected areas and its support included the transportation of medical personnel to those who were ill and transferring patients to hospitals, as well as the delivery of fuel, food and water to isolated areas. I wish to acknowledge the contribution of all those who worked tirelessly in extremely difficult conditions to help alleviate the suffering of those affected by the almost unprecedented severe weather that we have experienced over recent months.

As in all emergency responses, lessons can be learned and the Department of Environment Heritage and Local Government will undertake a review of the response to the widespread flooding that took place in November and the outcome of this review will be reported to the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning. I will also be seeking a report for the Task Force on the lessons learned from the recent severe weather response.