Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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69. To ask the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied regarding the availability of specialised equipment to enable the Defence Forces deal with emergencies such as recent flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2806/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capacity of the Defence Forces, including the availability of specialised equipment, is maintained to the greatest extent possible to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles both at home and overseas.

In accordance with the Framework for Major Emergency Management, primary responsibility for responding to emergencies caused by severe weather events, such as the recent storms and subsequent flooding, rests with the three designated principal response agencies, namely, the relevant Local Authority, An Garda Síochána, and the Health Service Executive.

At National level, representation on the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, by both the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces, ensures the fullest co-ordination and co-operation in the event of an emergency and that the command structure within the Defence Forces is compatible with the requirements in this area.

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.

The full spectrum of Defence Forces personnel and equipment, commensurate with operational requirements, is available for deployments in response to emergency situations. In this regard, the Defence Forces hold a wide range of engineering and transport plant and equipment for military purposes. All such plant and equipment suitable for use in emergency situations is made available as the need arises.

During the recent period of severe weather from 4 December 2015 the Defence Forces responded positively to all requests for support received from the three principal response agencies. Most requests were from the Local Authorities, given their central role in the flood response.

The Defence Forces have a wide range of high-axle 4x4, 6x6 and 8x8 vehicles capable of lifting personnel, stores and equipment into and out of areas affected by flooding or other weather conditions. The Defence Forces also have a small number of 4x4 Ambulance vehicles which also can be made available if required.

The Defence Forces Engineering Corps has a number of flat bottomed and inflatable boats and trained crews that can be deployed to assist in flooded areas. The Defence Forces have a large number of life jackets which can be made available to assist in the movement of persons from flooded areas by boat or vehicle if necessary. They also have a number of high pressure pumps and a number of mobile lighting units and generators which can be made available when required. Engineer plant such as dump trucks, and bulldozers etc. are also available in limited numbers, as are other light engineer stores such as sandbags. The Defence Forces also have the capacity to maintain water pumps and to aid in the construction of flood defences.

The most important asset that the Defence Forces can provide is personnel, equipped with personal protective equipment, to operate during extreme weather events and with the capacity to support and sustain those personnel if deployed. As was the case in the recent flooding, 3,096 numbers of Defence Forces personnel were made available countrywide for such support when required.

The Air Corps operate a small fleet of eight light and medium lift twin engine helicopters which can provide a capability for helicopter support services when required. Typical tasks might include the movement of essential personnel into inaccessible flooded areas, aerial reconnaissance of the extent of flooding, the movement of specialised equipment (such as pumps etc.) into confined or inaccessible locations and the movement of fodder for farm animals that are inaccessible by other means.

The Naval Service and the Naval Reserve is well versed in the operation of plant such as pumps and generators etc. and is able to provide same if required in emergency situations. They also have Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats and other watercraft providing a localised capacity to assist.

I should also mention that over 700 Civil Defence volunteers assisted the principal response agencies across the country during the recent severe weather events. Members of Civil Defence were involved in a wide range of activities including sand-bagging, pumping water, evacuating people from their homes, rescuing motorists from flood waters, getting patients to hospital, checking up on vulnerable people and transporting children to school. Civil Defence equipment deployed in these efforts included four wheel drive vehicles, boats, portable pumps, fire tenders, an all terrain vehicle, floating pontoons, command and control vehicles, vans and trucks.

I am satisfied that the Defence Forces have the necessary resources available to them, including specialised equipment, to fulfil all roles assigned to them by Government including the provision of assistance in emergency situations that may arise. The equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and the Naval Service will be considered in the context of the lifetime of the recently published White Paper. It recognises that there are several new and or enhanced platforms to be procured to ensure that the Defence Forces are fully equipped to meet the roles required by Government.