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 agreed multi-agency Framework for Major Emergency Management. Representation on the Task Force ensures the fullest coordination and cooperation with the appropriate lead Department in the event of an emergency.

In all emergency situations, including the recent periods of severe weather, the full resources of the Defence Forces are made available to the Government Task Force, and its Emergency Response Coordinating Committee, for the purpose of providing assistance where it is not possible for other agencies and organisations to respond. The Defence Forces are also members of the eight (8) Regional Working Groups set up under the Framework for the purpose of coordinating the work of the Principle Response Agencies and Defence Liaison Officers are provided to Local Authorities on an ongoing basis. These procedures were seen to operate very effectively recently as the Defence Forces responded to all requests for assistance received from the civil authorities during the recent periods of severe weather.