asked the Minister for Defence the efforts which have been made to promote Civil Defence during the past year; the amount of money allocated for this purpose, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Civil Defence.
7.
During 1985 Civil Defence has been promoted in a multiplicity of ways. The most noteworthy of these was the national fall-out exercise, "Network 85", in March which featured televised addresses to the public by the Minister of State with special responsibility for Civil Defence. In my addresses, I spoke of the purpose and value of Civil Defence and appealed for volunteers to join the organisation.
As in previous years, competitions were held for the welfare, casualty, auxiliary fire and rescue services. The national finals of these competitions in 1985 were held in Dún Laoghaire, Athlone, Dundalk and Wexford town respectively. The exercises and presentation functions, which were hosted by the Minister of State received widespread media attention and were attended by broad cross-sections of local dignitaries.
For the purpose of training primarily, volunteers give significant assistance with events such as the "Triathlon" in Sligo in June, the scout jamboree in Galway in August and the Nissan international classic cycle race which passed through the Deputy's own county in September. The publicity attendant on these and similar events helped to promote the image of Civil Defence.
Other activities such as involvement in search and rescue operations, assistance at accidents and the holding of weekend training camps in summer all continued to promote Civil Defence as an active and effective organisation nationwide throughout 1985.
In regard to cost, the Deputy will appreciate from what I have said that I see the promotion of Civil Defence as a significant element in almost all the activities of the organisation. It is impossible, therefore, to identify the particular cost of such promotion in the total Civil Defence allocation. The specific provision for Civil Defence in the Defence Vote for 1985 was £1,720,000, which represented a significant increase over the allocations for previous years. Early in 1985, a major issue of equipment for Civil Defence, comprising six ambulances, five landrovers, ten lighting and rescue sets and a fire appliance, was made to the local authorities. The total value of the equipment was in excess of £250,000. The issue of a new uniform for volunteers, which commenced in 1984, continued in 1985 and has contributed greatly to the morale and image of the volunteers.
In general, it is the experience of the Civil Defence organisation that Civil Defence is best promoted by a good public perception of the organisation. The perception applies at several levels. At recruiting level, volunteers seen engaging effectively in interesting and worth-while activities is the best recruiting medium. Again, as the organisation is based on the local authorities, it is important to have the goodwill of the members and officials of those authorities. The support of public representatives and other dignitaries is also, of course, of major importance.
Can the Minister say whether he is satisfied that local authorities are fulfilling their statutory duties in promoting Civil Defence?
By and large, I am satisfied.
Can the Minister indicate to the House whether his Minister of State has communicated with the relevant officers within each local authority during the past year in an effort to promote Civil Defence, or indeed over the past number of years.
I cannot say if there has been specific contact by the Minister of State with local authorities for that specific purpose but contact between the Civil Defence section of my Department and the local authorities is a continuing process. I would have no doubt that part of that would be the devising of exercises which would have the consequence of promoting the image of Civil Defence in the manner in which I have outlined in my reply.
Can the Minister indicate to the House, within reason, the number of people involved in Civil Defence throughout the country? Furthermore, can he say if there are any local authorities who are not making any effort to promote Civil Defence within their area?
I am sorry, I do not have the figure here; indeed it is a figure I should know and I apologise to the Deputy. I do not have the figure for the approximate number but I do know that it runs into many, many thousands. I am not aware that there is any local authority not co-operating fully in the Civil Defence area.