Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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329. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the way in which An Garda Síochána protocols during national emergencies could be improved to provide more prompt response time and more extensive general surveillance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12263/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy may be aware that national emergency management arrangements are in place, involving all the different agencies of the State.  These arrangements are governed by the Framework for Major Emergency Management. Co-ordinated by the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning and the Office of Emergency Planning, all the various agencies and bodies continue to work closely together in supporting co-ordinated responses to any national emergency incident that might arise.

An Garda Síochána is one of three principal Response Agencies under Ireland’s Strategic Emergency Management structures and framework and as such, is fully involved in the planning and protocols for the management of major emergencies at national, regional and local levels. Protocols for all response agencies are in place and are under continuous review in the context of the ongoing work to ensure preparedness to deal with a broad spectrum of emergency situations and to enhance national resilience.

As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of Garda resources, including personnel, and I, as Minister, have no direct role in operational matters of An Garda Síochána. The Garda Authorities keep the allocation of resources and the management of frontline operational policing duties under constant review in the context of policing priorities to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources. I am informed by An Garda Síochána that each Garda Division has an emergency plan in place, and these plans are reviewed on an ongoing basis as well as in response to particular crisis events such as the recent Storm Emma.

In responding to all incidents, including during a national emergency, An Garda Síochána prioritises community safety and the protection of life. Storm Emma created a challenging operational environment for An Garda Síochána and other front line responders. Given the extreme nature of conditions during the severe weather event, in places, dynamic risk assessments were required as part of response activities to ensure that the welfare, health and safety of all individuals was protected.  With the support of colleagues in Local Authorities, Civil Defence, the Coast Guard and the Defence Forces, a service focused on priorities was delivered across the country.