Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

292. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when a response will issue to an interim reply (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1973/18]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Minister for Defence is responsible for the coordination and oversight of emergency planning and chairs the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning.

The "Framework for Major Emergency Management" was adopted by Government in 2006 and sets out common arrangements and structures for front-line public sector emergency management in Ireland.

In line with this Framework, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government is the Lead Government Department for co-ordinating the response to national severe weather events, including flooding.

Local Authorities are designated the Principal Response Agency for all local flooding events and have plans and protocols in place to quickly respond to potential severe weather events. Local Authorities work with other agencies as part of their assessment and response to severe weather events. When required local authorities liaise with the other Principal Response Agencies (HSE, An Garda Síochána) and these Principal Response Agencies, can also be assisted by the Defence Forces, Civil Defence, Red Cross, Coastguard and Mountain Rescue.

I have asked the Minister of Defence, to further consider the correspondence and provide a more substantial response to the proposals raised.