Vol. 406 No. 5
41 Mr. T. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline the circumstances whereby members of the Defence Forces are called on to assist local authorities; and if he will give details of the number and type of such assistance given in 1991.
The Defence Forces render assistance to local authorities in emergency situations subject to operational commitments and available resources. Procedures are laid down whereby the local authorities may call on the Defence Forces to provide assistance in emergencies such as accidents, blizzards, fires, flooding and spillage of dangerous substances.
The Defence Forces have also provided assistance from time to time to local authorities to maintain essential supplies and services interrupted as a result of industrial disputes.
Since 1 January 1991 the Defence Forces have provided assistance to (1) Dublin Corporation, stand by ambulance to Dublin Fire Brigade; (2) Roscommon County Council, flood relief — transport of teacher and pupils to and from school; (3) Cavan County Council, food drops to elderly people in Crossdoney area of Cavan.
