James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 163: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason Electric Ireland seems unaware of and not involved in the development of his Major Emergency Management Framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33928/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Government has assigned responsibility for response to all kind of emergencies to three of its executive bodies – termed the Principal Response Agencies – An Garda Síochána, The Health Service Executive and the Local Authorities. The Framework for Major Emergency Management is intended to enable the Principal Response Agencies to prepare for and make a co-ordinated response to major emergencies resulting from events such as fires, transport accidents, hazardous substance incidents and severe weather. Its purpose is to set out common arrangements and structures for co-ordination of front-line public sector emergency management in Ireland. This includes liaising with and collaborating with the full range of other organizations who may be involved in responding to emergencies, including Electric Ireland where this is appropriate.

The Framework was adopted by Government decision in 2006, and was implemented through the Major Emergency Development Programme rolled out over the two years 2006 – 2008. It has been used to manage a range of emergency situations in the intervening period. The ongoing development of the Framework is overseen by a National Steering Group on Major Emergency Management comprising the five relevant Government Departments – Environment, Community and Local Government; Justice and Equality; Health; Transport, Tourism and Sport and Defence as well as agencies including An Garda Síochána, the HSE, City and County Managers Association and Defence Forces. My Department chairs this National Steering Group.