Niall Collins (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 471: To ask the Minister for Defence if he or the officer in command in Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick, received a formal request from Limerick County Council for assistance during the recent cold weather period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3080/10]

Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 473: To ask the Minister for Defence the reason the Army in Limerick was not prepared to clear footpaths except in special circumstances such as outside hospitals when asked to do so by officials of Limerick County Council on 11 January 2010 during the cold spell. [3222/10]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 471 and 473 together.

In accordance with 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 authorities (i.e. local authorities, HSE, etc.) can be called upon to provide support to locally based services.

During the recent period of severe weather conditions, I directed that all assets, resources and capabilities of the Defence Forces throughout the country be made available to assist the civil authorities where and when called upon.

Limerick County Council were advised that the assistance of the Defence Forces was available. Neither my Department nor the Defence Forces received an official request for assistance from Limerick County Council. If such a request had been made, assistance would have been forthcoming.

The provision of Defence Forces capabilities is dependent on the exigencies of the service and within available resources at the time. However, where additional forces are required in an emergency in any one particular area, the Defence Forces has the adaptability to marshal capability to meet the need.