Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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12. To ask the Minister for Defence with reference to section 9.3 of the White Paper on Defence that he published in August 2015, if he will provide, in detail, his Department’s ambitions for the development of Civil Defence; if he will discuss current and future supports from his Department for an organisation (details supplied) if he will acknowledge its contribution to life in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34256/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The White Paper on Defence, which was published in August 2015, sets out the policy framework for the Defence Organisation for the next ten years and beyond. The White Paper affirms the Government’s commitment to the continued development of Civil Defence. The future of Civil Defence will continue to be developed around its central strategic objective of supporting the Principal Response Agencies, (that is, an Garda Síochána, the HSE and the local authorities,) in a variety of emergency and non-emergency situations. This includes providing assistance in severe weather events, flooding and missing person searches.

The Government will establish a new Inter-agency Guidance Team to guide the continued development of Civil Defence. This team will be led by the Department of Defence and will include representatives of an Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces, the HSE, local authorities and the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. Representation will also be sought from the County and City Managers Association and the Civil Defence Officers’ Association.

The purpose of the guidance team will be to help to ensure that Civil Defence services and capabilities are developed in response to the evolving needs and requirements of the Principal Response Agencies under the system of Major Emergency Management, at local regional and national level.

The White Paper includes a commitment to introduce new legislation governing Civil Defence. Civil Defence currently operates under a variety of legislation, some of it dating back to 1939. The Government recognises the need to provide a more modern aggregated piece of legislation.

Civil Defence has good working relationships with a variety of volunteer-based groups involved in emergency supports. This includes Mountain Rescue, the Irish Red Cross, St John’s Ambulance and the Order of Malta. The White Paper commits Civil Defence to continue to work closely these organisations.

The volunteer ethos of Civil Defence is a hallmark of great pride and one which the Government wish to support into the future. While the Order of Malta do not fall under my remit as Minister for Defence, I am happy to acknowledge the contribution all the volunteer-based groups make to community life, not just in Meath, but right across the country.