Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 248: 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 or terrorist attack; the degree to which co-operation and co-ordination between Army, Navy and Air Corps and the appropriate Department with overall responsibility is likely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46611/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Defence and the Defence Forces are members of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning. One of the ways in which the Defence Forces provide assistance in aid to the Civil Authority (ATCA) is by providing assistance under the Framework For Major Emergency Management. There is no specific specialist training undertaken to provide this assistance but the broad range and depth of military training can be utilised as a contingency to respond to requests for assistance.

In relation to the threat of terrorist attack, the Defence Forces will respond to any such threat in support of An Garda Síochána in an aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) role. A wide variety of military training activities are specifically designed to counter or respond to such a threat. The Defence Forces hold regular coordination and liaison meetings with An Garda Síochána in relation to ATCP issues.

Defence Forces (Joint Army, Navy and Air Corps) activities are closely coordinated at Defence Forces Headquarters (DFHQ) level with the appropriate command and control structures and regulatory provisions to ensure cohesion and effectiveness in support of the local authorities, An Garda Síochána and for national defence as required.