Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 307: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will make contact with South Dublin County Council to offer assistance and advice in respect of their plans to prepare for the next major weather event; if he is aware that the resources of the council were severely stretched during the past two weeks of adverse weather and his views on the criticism which the council attracted in that regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47798/10]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to acknowledge the outstanding work of all local authorities, including the staff of South Dublin County Council, in responding to the challenges posed by the spell of severe cold weather which commenced on Saturday 27 November, and affected practically all of the country.

Local authority staff worked continuously over the period with other State bodies and transport agencies to ensure the primary objective of keeping national primary and other important roads passable for the 60% of normal and 80% of commercial traffic which rely on them, as well as keeping public transport functioning. The aim at all times of Government and the agencies of State was to minimise disruption caused and to ensure society functioned as close to normality as possible. The work and commitment of the staff in the local authority sector and other agencies is to be commended.

As Lead Government Department for severe weather, my Department convened a National Co-ordination Group which met on an ongoing basis while the severe weather conditions lasted. The Group brought together representatives from the relevant Government Departments and public bodies and agencies dealing with services that are relevant to the severe weather. The Departments of Environment, Transport, Health, Education, Defence, Enterprise, Communications and Taoiseach's as well as Met Eireann, National Roads Authority, the public transport agencies, the local authorities, An Garda Síochána, Health Services Executive, and Defence Forces worked to ensure an integrated and comprehensive response to transportation and other relevant issues. A joined up approach was taken to supporting the front-line services led by the local authorities, providing information to the public and reinforcing critical public safety messages. Even with good pre-planning, the intensity and duration of the weather stretched the financial resources of local authorities in their response measures. Consequently, on 2 December I announced €15 million support from my Vote for those local authorities most in need of supplementary funding, as a contribution to their exceptional costs, over and above the costs they would ordinarily be expected to meet in the context of yearly winter weather demands.

In accordance with the arrangements set out in the Framework for Major Emergency Management which has been operational since September 2008, local authorities act as "lead agency" for the co-ordination of the multi-agency response to severe weather emergencies within their functional area. This system is well-established and embedded in the relevant agencies, and contributed significantly to the effective response to the challenges posed by this severe cold period. This response is being reviewed in conjunction with those involved to establish what additional lessons can be identified and further enhancements made to the current systems. Any such issues will be brought to the attention of relevant organisations.