Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 72: To ask the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied with the level of support available to the Civil Defence to deal with severe weather emergencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38438/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am satisfied that the Civil Defence organisation continues to be in a position to train and equip volunteers to a very high standard. In accordance with the Framework for Major Emergency Management, which identifies a wide role for Civil Defence in emergency response, the strategies identified by the Civil Defence Board place a high priority on the organisation's ability to respond effectively to severe weather and other types of emergencies.

A recent programme of seven Regional Exercises, augmented by specific training courses delivered through the Civil Defence College in areas such as Water Awareness, Advanced Driving Instruction and the qualification of over 120 additional Emergency Technicians in the Casualty Service, has greatly enhanced the capability of Civil Defence to respond to severe weather emergencies. The purchase during 2011 of floating walkway systems, waterproof radio sets, additional four-wheel-drive vehicles and a second all-terrain vehicle have also enhanced the organisation's capability in this regard. As the Minister for Defence has previously outlined to this House, during the serious flooding conditions that were experienced in counties Dublin, Wicklow, Kildare and Monaghan in October of this year, over 200 Civil Defence volunteers responded, at very short notice, to a wide range of calls for assistance from front-line service providers.

The organisation's capability was also seen to operate very effectively during the severe weather events of the last two winters as volunteers responded to requests for assistance from the Gardaí, local authorities and the HSE.

The recently published Report on the Review of the Response to Exceptional Severe Weather Events of 2009-2010 highlighted in very positive terms the role that Civil Defence played in the response.