Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 309: To ask the Minister for Defence the degree to which specific training is provided to assist in a rapid response in the event of a natural disaster of terrorist attack; if he will provide the degree to which co-operation and co-ordination between Army, Naval Service and Air Corps and the appropriate Government Department with overall responsibility is likely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30751/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The involvement of the Defence Forces in responding to emergencies arises from requests for assistance from An Garda Síochána (as aid to the civil power) or from other agencies of the State (as aid to the civil authority). The role of the Defence Forces in these situations is dependent on the nature of the incident and the assistance requested.

The full spectrum of Defence Forces personnel and equipment, commensurate with operational requirements, is available for deployments in response to emergencies and crises. This includes, inter alia, a variety of off-road vehicles, engineer plant, trained drivers and operators, fixed and rotary wing aircraft, Naval Service ships and divers and personnel with other skills in areas such as logistics and medicine. The Defence Forces alert system is based on a graduated response, which ensures that the required level of readiness and commitment by the Defence Forces can be readily achieved.

As a support agency the Defence Forces deploy capabilities that are integral to their military and contingency roles and training is in relation to these capabilities rather than specific capabilities for natural disasters or possible terrorist attacks.

The Framework for Major Emergency Management sets out the structure enabling the Principal Response Agencies (An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive and Local Authorities) to prepare for, and make a coordinated response to, major emergencies and the Defence Forces respond within that framework.

The Major Emergency Framework sets out the specific arrangements for coordination and cooperation between the Principal Response Agencies and the Defence Forces. The Operations Directorate in Defence Forces Headquarters manages the necessary cross-service coordination. These arrangements have proved effective in all emergencies encountered to date.