Written answers

Wednesday, 2 June 2010

Department of Defence

Emergency Planning

8:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 36: To ask the Minister for Defence his role in the management, co-ordination, activation and implementation of the national emergency plan in the event of terrorist or natural disasters; the degree to which each element in the chain of command is activated and by whom; the person or persons with responsibility for overall command and supervision in such a situation; the extent to which weather conditions over the past year have provided useful training and experience for such situations; if an emergency plan can be activated and implemented within days, hours or minutes in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23408/10]

Photo of Tony KilleenTony Killeen (Clare, 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.

The Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, which I chair, supports coordination in emergency planning across government departments and agencies. It is a forum for the sharing of information and best practice and it meets regularly to discuss emergency planning issues and hear expert advice.

In December 2008, the Government noted the document 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 Justice & Law Reform is designated as the lead department in coordinating the response to national security related incidents (including terrorism).

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 '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.

As in all emergency situations, lessons can be learned. As Chair of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, I have asked every department and agency involved in dealing with the severe weather events to review its response so that we can learn from the experience gained during these emergencies.

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