Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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178. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if, in light of storm Éowyn, there are plans to enhance emergency response capabilities in the west of Ireland through greater collaboration between the Defence Forces and other agencies. [17268/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As Chair of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, I have made it very clear that any lessons identified from recent events are to be incorporated into future planning and resilience to minimise the impacts of climate related emergencies on our communities. I understand that the Department of Housing has commenced a lessons learnt process following Storm Éowyn. My Department will be centrally involved in this process and it is intended to advise Government of the lessons learnt and necessary follow up actions by June this year.

With regard to Storm Éowyn, the Defence Forces received and accommodated requests for assistance under the GTF mechanisms from a number of agencies, and provided assistance ranging from air patrols of electricity lines by the Air Corps, readiness to support to the National Ambulance Service, accommodation for prison staff during the red warning phase, provision and transportation of equipment and supplies, notably generators to affected areas.

While the Defence Forces are not a primary response agency for non-security related emergencies, they do provide the fullest possible assistance within means and capabilities to the appropriate Lead Department in the event of a natural disaster or emergency situation in its Aid to Civil Authority (ATCA) role.