Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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376. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a reply will issue to correspondence from a person (details supplied); the way in which his Department responded to the declaration of the status red alert weather warning in relation to its own employees and to the public generally; the protocols now in place for future status red alert weather warnings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47920/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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At the outset, I wish to extend my condolences to the families and friends of the three people who tragically lost their lives during Storm Ophelia last month.

On foot of the severe weather warnings issued by Met Éireann on the day before the arrival of Storm Ophelia, 15 October, I issued a Press Release asking farmers, fishermen and people in rural areas to be extra vigilant and take precautions as the storm approached the country. I urged farmers and all people in rural areas to follow closely the advice of the authorities particularly for those in the worst affected Counties. My key concern was for the safety of people and I reiterated the advice that only essential travel should be undertaken.

I also reminded landowners of the dangers of fallen trees and power lines and advised that assessment of damage in such circumstances should only be carried out by appropriately trained professionals from the relevant front line services.

In light of the red weather alert being extended to the entire country, it was decided that in the interest of safety all Departmental offices would remain closed on Monday 16^thOctober, the day of the storm.

My Department is a member of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning and will contribute to a report that is being prepared by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government on the overall response to Storm Ophelia. This report will be considered by the Taskforce before being submitted for the consideration of Government in January 2018.