Written answers

Thursday, 20 February 2014

Photo of Terence FlanaganTerence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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213. To ask the Minister for Defence his plans to deploy the Army to the worst-affected areas of counties Cork and Limerick to help residents after the recent floods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8765/14]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Framework for Major Emergency Management sets out the structure for enabling the Principal Response Agencies (An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive and Local Authorities) to provide a coordinated response to major emergencies including severe weather events. The involvement of the Defence Forces arises from requests for assistance received from such Agencies in its Aid to the Civil Authority (ATCA) role under the multi-agency Framework.

Since the onset of the latest period of stormy weather, the Army, the Naval Service and the Air Corps were placed on standby to respond to requests for support received from the Principal Response Agencies. The Defence Forces have been deployed to some of the worst affected areas of Cork and Limerick in recent days and weeks to help with the relief effort as a result of the recent flooding events.

In response to a request from the local authority, assistance was provided in Limerick on Saturday and Sunday the 1st and 2nd of February. Six high wheeled trucks and 25 personnel were deployed each day. On Saturday they were involved in assisting with the evacuation of flooded homes, whilst on Sunday they were involved in the distribution of supplies and assisting with the filling and distribution of sandbags. On Wednesday 5 February, 25 members of the Defence Forces were deployed to fill sandbags in Limerick.

The Naval Service positioned a ship in Cork harbour to be on hand should any assistance be required during the expected high tide in Cork on the evening of the 4th February. Personnel from Collins Barracks, Cork were also on standby for deployment.

In response to a request from the HSE, the Defence Forces transported and installed a generator in a dwelling in West Cork on 14 February 2014 to assist a vulnerable patient who had no electricity.

Civil Defence, which comes under the remit of my Department, was also actively involved in dealing with the effects of the recent severe weather. To date over 500 volunteers from 20 Civil Defence Units across the country have been supporting the efforts of local authorities, the HSE and the Garda in alleviating the effects of the severe weather on local populations. They have been engaged in a wide range of activities including water pumping, evacuating homes, sandbagging, traffic control, transportation of HSE community outreach personnel and the delivery of supplies to isolated homes.

The Department, the Defence Forces and Civil Defence attended all the National Co-ordination meetings held in support of this latest severe weather episode. They are in close liaison with the Principal Response Agencies to determine the assistance that may be sought from the Defence Forces and from Civil Defence. The full spectrum of Defence Forces personnel and equipment, commensurate with operational requirements, is available for deployment in response to emergencies and crises.

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