Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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71. To ask the Minister for Defence further to section 9 of his White Paper on Defence, his ambitions for strengthening the technological capacity of civic defence organisations which provide such important civic and community services in County Meath and throughout Ireland. [2650/16]

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 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 the large number of support roles set out in the Framework for Major Emergency Management (MEM) including assistance in dealing with a wide range of emergencies at national and local level.

Civil Defence will utilise new technologies that assist in delivering its core services. For example, Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) are now being used by Civil Defence in missing persons searches. Civil Defence has also acquired TETRA radios allowing for efficient communications with the PRAs during emergencies.

Civil Defence has a well developed radio communications system. This operates on a national, regional and local level. For example, Meath Civil Defence has a very fine command and control vehicle which it makes available in support of the PRAs. These communication capabilities will be further developed according to need.

The Department of Defence will continue to provide, within available resources, the supports necessary to fulfil the mission of Civil Defence, including fit-for-purpose equipment, uniforms and Personal Protective Equipment.