Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 86: To ask the Minister for Transport the circumstances under which he will respond under the national emergency plan; and if this plan includes volcanos and earthquakes. [15932/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Framework for Major Emergency Management is the document that sets out a structure enabling the Principal Response Agencies to prepare for, and make a co-ordinated response to, major emergencies resulting from events such as fires, transport accidents, hazardous substance incidents and severe weather. While the Framework does not specifically cover volcanoes and earthquakes it is designed to be sufficiently flexible to enable an appropriate response to all emergency situations.

Emergency planning in this country is developed on the 'lead department' principle. This means that each department is responsible for planning for emergencies that fall within its area of responsibility and for activating its emergency plans and procedures when so required. These plans and procedures include arrangements for keeping the public informed and up-to-date.

In relation to the volcanic eruptions, my Department activated the Government Taskforce on Emergency Planning on the afternoon of the 15th April as the scale and implications of the eruptions became apparent over the earlier course of that day.

The role of the Taskforce was to review all the latest information regarding the volcanic ash cloud and provide advice to the Government on the most appropriate measures to be taken. The Taskforce also ensured that all actions were taken by the appropriate authorities in a co-ordinated way and that up-to-date information and advice was provided to the media and to the public in a timely manner.

While the Taskforce stepped down on Tuesday 27th April 2010, the various Departments and agencies will continue to monitor the situation in the coming months.