Written answers

Tuesday, 7 May 2013

Department of Defence

Emergency Planning

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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99. To ask the Minister for Defence if he remains satisfied regarding the ability of the Defence Forces to respond to and security requirement including natural disasters that may arise notwithstanding expenditure cuts brought about as a consequence of the Memorandum of Understanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21237/13]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capacity of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible. Whilst the Defence Forces are not a Principal Response Agency, as defined in the Framework for Major Emergency Management, they provide the fullest possible assistance to the appropriate Lead Department in the event of a natural disaster or severe weather emergency in its Aid to the Civil Authority (ATCA) role under the muli-agency Framework. At National level, representation on the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, by both my Department and the Defence Forces ensures the fullest coordination and cooperation in the event of an emergency. The Defence Forces are also represented on the eight Regional Working Groups that have been established under the Framework and, on an ongoing basis, designated members of the Defence Forces, based around the country, act as Liaison Officers to Local Authorities.

In relation to security, primary responsibility for the maintenance of law and order rests with An Garda Síochána. However, one of the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence (2000) is to provide Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) which, in practice means to assist An Garda Síochána when requested to do so. A wide variety of military training activities are specifically designed to counter or respond to possible security emergencies and the Defence Forces hold regular coordination and liaison meetings with An Garda Síochána in relation to ATCP issues.

Similar to all other Government Departments, it is imperative that the Department and the Defence Forces take into account the current difficult economic environment we are now operating in. The budgetary situation will continue to dictate the level of funding available for new equipment, including vehicles, upgrades of equipment and different technologies. Within the resource envelope available for Defence, the Defence Forces will continue to fulfil all roles assigned by Government.

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