asked the Minister for Defence if he will arrange for a National Civil Defence Day; and if he will ensure that all State agencies and statutory bodies are involved in this operation this year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Civil Defence Day.
15.
I will bear the Deputy's proposals in mind for inclusion in my Department's plans for their annual national fallout exercise which will be held later in the year.
In view of the recent Chernobyl disaster, the fact that we are so close to Sellafield and the fact that at any time there could be an incident resulting in a holocaust on this country — we all hope it will never happen but we live in that terrible dread — would the Minister, as a matter of urgency, review the situation and direct in the interests of the civilian population that it would be arranged that there would be a proper national civil defence day of which the public would be fully aware and in which they would get involved? I am sure that not alone would his Department but all statutory agencies, county councils, urban councils, town commissioners, Garda Síochána, the Irish Red Cross and all other agencies would be involved and the nation would be aware of the seriousness of the situation and would be educated in how they should respond to it.
That is precisely what national fallout day is all about. As the Deputy is aware, it is done both through television and radio. We involve the meteorological services, the warden services, the scientific intelligence officers and the message centre staff, the Army observer corps, the Garda Síochána and, as the Deputy indicated, RTE and Irish Lights. They are all involved in national fallout day, which is a very effective exercise. Yesterday I had a meeting with Civil Defence. As well as that type of service I suggested that they should look at it on a regional basis on a more frequent level so that we can get instant action. Everybody is aware of the national fallout day and they are tuned up to it. What I would like to see from time to time in the regional areas is a test on the ground within 24 hours notice. That is what it has to be in the event of any such holocaust. I hope that national fallout day will meet with what the Deputy is asking for. I accept the point the Deputy has made that we have to be very much more alert on the ground with regard to the possibility of any further problems in relation to nuclear fallout. I am satisfied that Civil Defence are examining this and are very much aware of it. There will be a different approach in the future.
Would the Minister of State arrange to have notification of the date and the arrangements for national fallout day communicated to all local authorities, public representatives and local authority members throughout the country?
Yes, of course.