Vol. 416 No. 1
102 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline, (1) the principal features of the review of the Civil Defence organisation, (2) the number of members of the Permanent Defence Force, whether at staff or field level, engaged in such duties on a full-time basis for the period 1987 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter, having regard to total State expenditure on the service.
In respect of (1) the review of the roles and training of the Civil Defence organisation was undertaken in recent times in the light of national requirements and the international outlook.
While the perception of the risk of nuclear war is less than it has been for many years, the State must also be prepared to respond to the consequences of a peacetime industrial nuclear accident such as occurred in Chernobyl. The national response mechanism is set out in the peacetime industrial nuclear accident plan and Civil Defence have been assigned specific roles under that plan.
In addition, the Civil Defence organisation have roles in the measures to be taken consequent on the occurrence of major accidents and disasters and to the provision of community support generally.
In regard to (2) the number of officers of the Permanent Defence Force who were seconded to Civil Defence from 1987 to 1991 were:
