Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 361: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the emergency response procedures in place to deal with severe weather conditions this winter should such conditions arise; if sufficient supplies of grit will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34516/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The role of my Department during a severe weather event is to ensure that the local authorities are prepared to respond promptly to ameliorate the worst effects in relation to those aspects of an emergency for which they have direct responsibility, and that they act in co-operation with the other Principal Response Agencies – An Garda Síochána and the Health Service Executive - using the Major Emergency Management Framework as appropriate, and the voluntary agencies and the Defence Forces to limit the effects on individuals whose lives may be put at risk or who may be exposed to serious hardship. When effective emergency plans are in place, the management of the emergency response then falls to the local authorities and the other Response Agencies.

The issue of road gritting is a matter for the local authorities and the National Roads Authority, which is under the aegis of the Department of Transport.